Type:	Journal Article
Title:	Animal cruelty by children exposed to domestic violence
Other Titles:	Child abuse & neglect
Authors:	Currie, Cheryl L
Keywords:	Animal abuse;Child protection;Impact on children and young people
Year:	2006
Publisher:	Pergamon
Citation:	30, 2006
Notes:	General overview:This Canadian article presents the study looking at children exposed to domestic violence and their likelihood to abuse animals. Objective: The first objective is to determine if children exposed to domestic violence were more likely to be cruel to animals than children not exposed to domestic violence. The second objective is to assess any age and gender differences between children who were and those who were not cruel to animals. Discussion: Two key findings are discussed: 1. Animal cruelty by children is found to be correlated with exposure to male-to-female domestic violence; and 2. Children exposed to domestic violence who are cruel to animals are also older than the non-exposed children who are cruel to animals. Other research is cited in the discussion, including how children learn social roles by modelling; children from violent homes have lower levels of empathy; and how animal cruelty may be self satisfying as modelling the aggressor may give feelings of power and control in uncontrollable situations. However, the majority of exposed children were not cruel to animals. It also discussed the age difference in terms of children who are exploratory/curious animal abusers but who are of preschool or early elementary age could be lacking training in the humane and physical care of animals. Educational interventions are suggested as likely to address this group. However, children who are pathological animal abusers are older, with the animal cruelty as a symptom of psychological issues related to the experience of abuse, which could require clinical intervention. The lack of gender differences among exposed children who are cruel to animals is examined. It refers to other research which found that among sexually abused children, experiencing physical abuse increased animal cruelty among boys while exposure to domestic violence increased animal cruelty among girls. The combined experience of domestic violence and physical abuse also increased animal cruelty only among sexually abused girls. Conclusion: It concludes that animal cruelty by children is correlated with their exposure to domestic violence.
URI:	https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/13423
ISSN:	0145-2134
Appears in Collections:	Journal Articles

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