Published November 2020

Domestic Violence NSW (DVNSW) has put together this report to highlight how the safety and wellbeing of animals and people experiencing domestic and family violence (DFV) are interconnected. This report recommends law, policy and program responses to improve support and remove barriers to their safety. DVNSW recognises that animals are victim-survivors of DFV, and that DFV is a gender-based form of violence that disproportionately affects women and LGBTIQ people.

In July 2020, DVNSW conducted two surveys on animals and people experiencing DFV to ascertain and draw on the knowledge of workers on this issue. The survey designed for DFV and community workers supporting victim-survivors received 100 responses. The survey designed for workers in Men’s Behaviour Change Programs (MBCPs) and Perpetrator Interventions received 7 responses, perhaps reflecting the smaller size of the sector. This report refers to ‘n’ as the number of survey respondents for the specific survey question. Respondents work in organisations providing one or more of the following services: (From the Introduction). Record #6897