Cruelty to Animals and the Short- and Long-Term Impact on Victims

SUMMARY Research indicates that various types of childhood abuse occurring in violent families (e.g., physical or emotional abuse) do not happen in isolation. Clients often describe experiencing multiple forms of maltreatment in childhood, and research indicates an increased severity of symptoms with each added form of abuse. Regardless of the kinds of abuse perpetrated against them, clients report similar short- and long-term effects. It is proposed that witnessing, being threatened with, or forced to commit animal abuse constitutes an important form of abuse. Similar to the impact of other forms of abuse, comparable short- and long-term effects could exist for both the human and nonhuman survivors of animal abuse. Recommendations for addressing the trauma of animal abuse are offered.