Sarah O'Brien
Biography
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Abstract:
Pet and Women Safety Act of 2014 (H.R. 5267)—A Legislative Analysis on the Benefits of Including Pets in Domestic Violence Protections
H.R. 5267 is a federal bill that was introduced by Senator Katherine Clark (D-MA) on July 30, 2014 that seeks to expand current federal protections to the pets of victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and dating violence. In addition, grant funding is allocated to provide emergency shelter for pets in domestic violence cases. Both a literature review of the documented link between human and animal violence and a review of pet owners who delay shelter-seeking out of welfare concerns for their pet are examined to gauge the potential impact of this legislation on victims and their pets. Recommendations on how human service professions can support the passage of this bill and lend an academic body of work to this social justice issue are also included.
Learning Objectives:
1. Identification of areas of this bill that would be active interventions for victims of violence and their pets.
2. Build awareness and knowledge of strategies that social workers can use to get involved in shaping and influencing public policy.
