Research indicating women stay in violent relationships for the good of their pets will be the focus of a free seminar in Brisbane on Monday 29 September.
Psychologist Dr Frank Ascione, an expert in the relationship between animal maltreatment and domestic violence, will be the guest speaker, hosted by The University of Queensland in partnership with Central Queensland University.
Family violence specialist and UQ School of Social Work and Human Services lecturer Dr Deborah Walsh said research showed women in violent relationships could delay leaving their partner because of animal welfare concerns.
“This is alarming information, as almost 63 per cent of Australian households have pets and it is estimated that one in four women will be affected by domestic violence over their lifetime,” she said.
Dr Walsh said it was critical for professionals in animal welfare and in domestic violence to understand the links between the two fields.
She said Dr Ascione would discuss the relationships between intimate partner violence and animal abuse, focusing on the welfare of women, children and pets in violent environments.
“Seminars such as this promote awareness about domestic violence and animals, better equipping the human services professionals to intervene in a meaningful way,” she said.
Dr Ascione was the inaugural American Humane Endowed Chair at the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work, where he is a Scholar in Residence.
The seminar will draw on the 2008 publication The international handbook of animal abuse and cruelty: theory, research and application, edited by Dr Ascione.
The seminar will be held at the Abel Smith Lecture Theatre, Campbell Road, The University of Queensland from 2pm. Register here.
Media: Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences Senior Marketing and Communications Officer Helen Burdon, 3365 7436 or 0412 744 437, h.burdon@uq.edu.au.
