Linking animal abuse and interpersonal violence: dispelling myths and acknowledging research outcomes

Since the 2007 IAHAIO meeting was held, research on animal abuse and its relation to interpersonal violence has increased at a steady pace. There are some, however, who have questioned the nature and validity of this relation. This presentation will examine the myths surrounding this research topic and will inform attendees of emerging research confirming this relation. Factors potentially related to the development of such myths will be explored. Examples of recently published empirical studies will be used to illustrate the authors' arguments. We highlight recent developments and advances in research issues on animal abuse from 2007 to the present. We direct the reader to existing reviews of research, including recently available books, and focus on empirical analyses and programmatic innovations addressing animal abuse. This paper addresses the challenges of defining and assessing animal abuse especially within cross-cultural studies, a state-of-the- art assessment of animal abuse that will be valuable for both researchers and practitioners, the relation between animal abuse and mental health in young people, the extensive research on animal abuse and domestic or family violence, and the implication of these empirical findings for programs designed to enhance human and animal welfare. Special attention will be given to the need to incorporate information on animal abuse in the training of human health professionals who deal with child maltreatment, intimate partner violence, and the abuse and neglect of elder adults. All of us in the field of human-animal interaction are, at times, called upon to make statements or observations about the relation between the abuse of animals and violence between people. It is essential that our responses reflect evidence-