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By Cheryl "Africa" Albert Review of Companion Animals and Domestic Violence Rescuing Me, Rescuing You (234 pages) by Nik Taylor and Heather Fraiser, Palgrave MacMillan (2019) This book is about the very real need for society to recognize animal abuse as domestic violence in order to fulfill the need to establish safe shelters and escape plans that include companion animals alongside their human victims/survivors. The intention of the authors Heather Fraiser and Nik Taylor is to provide a better understanding of human-animal relationships in relation to domestic domination, control, and violation. For the purpose of their study and this book, they focused on the relationship of nine women and their companion animals in an effort to include public support in having very important conversations about domestic violence and animal abuse. Their desire in doing this is to generate a new understanding that allows us to recognize animals as victims of domestic violence, alongside their human counterparts. In addition to this new understanding, the authors intend to show more than just the comfort that humans receive from companion animals, but to also shed light on the interconnectedness between humans, namely females, and animals when they undergo shared experiences of domestic violence and animal abuse. All of their work is to bring attention to the immense healing and recovery that can stem from relationships during abuse and recovery from trauma. This literary work is an exceptional example of the authors deep passion, writing skills and professional expertise. Presently, Nik Taylor is the Associate Professor at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. Heather Fraiser is the Associate Professor at the Queensland University of Technology, Australia. Together, Fraiser and Taylor share an extensive background in studying domestic violence, as well as, child and animal abuse. While Taylor has a more detailed background volunteering in animal shelters and witnessing the outcomes of abuse, both physical and sexual, against animals. Fraiser has spent many years of her career in shelters, working as an advocate with woman and children who've experienced domestic and/or child abuse. They both have written many articles on the subject of animal abuse as domestic violence that are worth reading to further understand their concept. Throughout their literary work, you find that Fraiser and Taylor relied on a magnitude of resources. A vast amount of their ideas and theories are drawn directly from their very own extensive research developed through case studies and projects they conducted of people and their companion animals. One such study from which this book has been derived is their "Loving You, Loving Me" project, where they interviewed nine Australian women who'd previously experienced domestic violence. For the purpose of this study they focused on the relationship these women had with their companion animals during the trauma, the obstacles in escaping trauma with companion animals and healing together or apart from their animals after trauma. You find references from experts in fields that work and/or study domestic violence, animals abuse, animal advocacy, trauma advocacy, shelters, human studies, and so on and so forth. Along with the expanse of knowledge that both Fraiser and Taylor bring with them from their backgrounds educationally and professionally, the quality of information evokes credibility to their argument. This book is categorized into seven chapters that are intricately woven to invoke knowledge, heighten awareness, reveal alternatives, bring forth true empathy, and enlighten the reader to a higher level of understanding of this very real issue. Consider the layout of this book as a journey through the lives of the thousands of nameless women facing these situations and you'll see that the authors did a terrific job of bringing readers from ignorance to revelation and finally to viable solutions. In the chapters of this book there are many important topics, aspects, theories and information that address the benefits of calling awareness to the direct relation of animal abuse to domestic violence, furthermore, the separate cultural ideals becoming one; recognizing animals as domestic violence victims/survivors in their own right. For the purpose of my review, I focus on the link between domestic violence and animal abuse, human-companion animal relations, and the stages of rescue, refuge and recovery. These are themes that I found most eye-opening, though this is not to discredit other aspects of the authors arguments. The main reasoning for the necessity of this study is not to just draw the link between domestic violence and animal abuse, but to further this agenda by assuring that animal abuse is to be considered domestic violence. Throughout this book the authors do a wonderful job of imploring you to think critically about non-human animals, their ability to feel pain, fear, shock, confusion, loyalty, and love but also to feel victimized when subjected to domestic violence. When you consider my last sentence, you should realize that the current and general idea of what domestic violence is understood or defined to be is inadequate when that concept is expanded to include other animals. An intersectional analysis of domestic violence, when extended to non-human species becomes the basis by which we are enabled to view animals as victims of direct abuse, as well as recognize the effects imposed on animals as bystanders of abuse. To focus on only the human aspects of domestic abuse basically implies that other animal species do not experience this violence and therefore are not victims in their own right. In support of this theory the authors cite various sources to provide the statistics that show the widespread effects and existence of domestic violence. While on the other hand, very little in comparison is known or even documented due to a justice system that views animal cruelty and abuse as the lesser crime and human services that are ill equipped to protect all victims/survivors of violence which keep few to no records of the animal abuse they encounter. This is why human-companion animal relations in the context of domestic violence is important and the authors express this explicitly. As a result of their study, the authors recognized that a fraction of women who were in domestically violent situations procrastinated on leaving due to concern for the safety of their companion animals. These animals often become the target of human abusers as a strategic method to control human victims, whose animals have a higher chance of being harmed or even dying in such situations, than the animals of women who have never experienced such violence. Child victims often experience violence as result of their relationships with companion animals. Being forced into positions were the children of abused mothers, feel the need to become the protector and at times the defender of their animals in order to prevent the experience of threats, harm, or death. The authors do suggest that shelters and refuge be provided that will accept nonhuman animals as readily as their human companions, that organizations involved in preparing escape plans consider not only the safety of human victims but also companion animal victims and include them in the plan, and that during the recovery process these organizations and individuals involved with nonhuman animals who've experienced domestic violence recognize that they need support in healing too. In my opinion, readers can easily see how a sense of camaraderie amongst the human and non-human victims/survivors are formed and the roles that they play in the stages of rescue (or escape), refuge, and recovery. The pressure to escape violence is often wrongfully placed on the victims. This is a concept that, I believe, the authors took great care in explaining for those who don't understand the fear that victims of domestic violence face when considering escape. These inaccurately framed concepts that victims can just leave, or must either be too complacent, weak, or ignorant to stand up for themselves and walk away are a very far cry from the truth. Speaking from person all experience, this can be very disheartening to hear for a person trapped in a domestically violent situation. Even after escape, there are short- and long-term effects to adults, children, and animals in homes were domestic violence is occurring. Some of these effects include: "...psychological problems for all human victims/survivors and, for children, increased risk of behavioral and educational problems. (Geffner et al. 2003). Mental and physical health problems, including post-traumatic distress, anxiety, depression, are common, as is substance use as a form of self-medication. (Zlotnick et al. 2006)" (Qtd. in Nik Taylor et al. 2013, pg.34). Homelessness, and unemployment are also prevalent. Finding refuge after escape has proven to be dangerous when appropriate help can be out of reach, fear of speaking up about abuse due to fear of being found out and retaliated against is present, and the availability of shelter for companion animals is few and far between or nonexistent all together. In conclusion, it is my opinion that this book is well written, the authors accurately articulate their arguments for the benefits of redefining domestic violence to be inclusive of all species and the importance of cross-species camaraderie between victims/survivors. The authors are well versed in their fields and research, they utilize their knowledge along with reputable experts, and use references to support their claims and arguments. The use of the individual stories of real people in domestically violent relationships with their companion animals makes the writing very real and even relatable for those who've been in similar situations. In that, as a reader, with a similar background it was easy to recognizes the emotions, decisions, and struggles present when deciding whether to escape violence with a companion animal. Furthermore, as a reader, from the beginning to end of this book you are confronted with concepts, ideas, and scenarios that require you to think critically about the plight of non-human animals as domestic violence victims. This requires you to think out of the box that society often implies a victim of domestic violence "looks like". This allows you to consider non-human animals as equals. This is a respectful representation in that you must take away the ideas of property or commodity and look to the animal as a person in their own right. One who is able to endure the same processes of emotions, pain, and recovery as oneself. This book would be highly recommended for a sociology course, persons working in human and/or animal shelters, crisis centers, trauma response teams, domestic and/or child abuse advocates, and honestly, anyone who needs an enlightened and heightened awareness of the true scope of domestic violence, how it correlates with animal abuse, and how it effects both human and animals victims/survivors in the home. Lastly, I recommend that if you are someone who has been in a domestically abusive relationship, or have been witness to such violence, take caution as you read this book. Though the authors do a great job preparing readers for parts that may be triggering, be sure to be gracious to yourself, reach out to someone you can talk to, and/or give yourself more time to heal before reading this book. Author Bio: Cheryl "Africa" Albert attends Minnesota State University Mankato by way of Minnesota Correctional Facility in Shakopee. She is of Nigerian descent, hence the nickname "Africa", where she attended a girls Catholic boarding school in small jungle like village called Ijebu Itele in Ogun State, Nigeria. On many nights, Africa often found comfort late at night sitting silently listening to the calls of the animals since she was so far from home and family. She strongly believes in educating her mind in order to better herself and her community. |
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