Historically, animal abuse and human abuse have been handles in separate spheres, with various professional groups in social services or animal control working independently with little collaboration.  Yet, violence is about power.  Whether the target is a human or an animal, intentional harm of any vulnerable population is emblematic of multiple risks.  Recognizing the overlap in these risks is an important innovation in ant-violence and pro-social work at community and national levels.  Largely driven by activists, researchers, and organizers, The National Link Coalition (The Link), serves as the National Resource Center on The Link between Animal Abuse and Human Violence.

The National Link Coalition is an interdisciplinary organization dedicated to raising awareness and addressing public policy, programs, and research about the intersecting forms of violence against people and animals.  In its thirty year history, The Link has helped establish significant correlations between animal abuse, child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, elder abuse and other forms of violence.  Their work is uniquely situated to bring attention to these overlapping forms of violence, and the Link’s innovative work continues to inform best practices across human and animal services and welfare efforts.

With decades of data, animal abuse has been recognized as a serious issue in its own right, as well as a warning signal for multiple forms of violence.  Abuse is often cyclical and inter-generational, and with earlier intervention, professionals may more effectively break these cycles of violence.  By better understanding how violence overlaps across multiple groups, The Link has brought together a collaborative effort to work toward violence prevention.

By including animals in an understanding of violence against vulnerable populations, important connections and policy innovations were made across many social movements to end violence.   The Link’s offers many ways to get involved, stay informed, and participate in the movement to end violence against people and animals.  The Link’s research and publications offer insights that can help individuals, organizations, and policy makers better understand how to respond and prevent violence, including a free newsletter, comprehensive bibliography, and an extensive online library of resources.  These materials are available for human services and animal welfare professionals, community organizers, and others interested in The Link between violence to people and violence to animals.

Paws up for The National Link Coalition!