Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, and Animal Abuse: Linking the Circles of Compassion for Prevention and Intervention

Evidence is mounting that animal abuse, frequently embedded in families scarred by domestic violence and child abuse and neglect, often predicts the potential for other violent acts. As early intervention is critical in the prevention and reduction of aggression, this boo encourages researchers and professionals to recognize animal abuse as significant problem and a human public-health issue that should be included as a curriculum topic in training. The book is an interdisciplinary sourcebook of original essays that examines the relations between animal maltreatment and human interpersonal violence, expands the scope of research in this growing area, and provides practical assessment and documentation strategies to help professionals confronting violence do their jobs better by attending to these connections. This book brings together, for the first time, all of the leaders in this emerging field. They examine contemporary research and programmatic issues, encourage cross-disciplinary interactions, and describe innovative programs in the field today. The book also includes vivid first-person accounts from "survivors" whose experiences included animal maltreatment among other forms of family violence.

Frank Ascione is a professor of psychology and adjunct professor of family, consumer, and human development at Utah State University. Ascione received the 2001 Distinguished Scholar Award from the International Association of Human?Animal Interaction and the International Society for Anthrozoology, and in 2002 was selected as USU's College of Education Scholar/Researcher of the Year. Ascione serves on the Child and Animal Abuse Prevention Advisory Council of the Latham Foundation. During his career, he has published several books including, Cruelty to Animals and Interpersonal Violence: Readings in Research and Application (1998), Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, and Animal Abuse: Linking the Circles of Compassion for Prevention and Intervention (1998), both by Purdue University Press, and authored Safe Havens for Pets: Guidelines for Programs Sheltering Pets for Women Who Are Battered.