Vets launch initiative to tackle domestic abuse by raising awareness of link to animal abuse
2 July 2025
The Links Group has launched a new online training course to help non-animal welfare professionals working in homes recognise and act on ‘The Link’ between abuse of animals and abuse of people, funded by a generous grant from the Pets Foundation.
Protecting Animals, Protecting People: in the Home is a free, modular, online course suitable for a broad range of professions and individuals, including:
- safeguarding professionals working in or around the home and knowingly working with victim-survivors of domestic and/or child abuse (e.g. police officers, social workers, paramedics etc),
- professionals with a mandate to report on suspicions of abuse (e.g. midwives, district nurse, health visitors, social workers, etc),
- and those who might have cause for concern regarding animal, child or domestic abuse as a result of experiences during their working day but without a statutory duty to report in their role (e.g. postal workers, delivery drivers, trades such as plumbers, builders, gardeners, and hairdressers etc).
This course has been created by The Links Group in collaboration with subject matter experts in safeguarding, domestic abuse, policing, social work and social care, education, probation, housing, youth services, addiction services, the human-animal bond and animal welfare.
Paula Boyden, Links Group Chair/Vicki Betton, Links Group Vice-Chair said: “Domestic abuse is a public health crisis, and ‘The Link’ between abuse of animals and abuse of people is a significant One Health, One Welfare issue which we’re committed to tackling. We’re so excited to launch this course which forms another key part of this work.
We’re also incredibly grateful for both the support of the Pets Foundation, which has made its development a reality, and for the panel of experts who provided their time and expertise to help us develop the content. It is only by working together to raise awareness of all those impacted by domestic abuse that we can better protect animals and humans in homes where this abuse occurs.”
Introducing ‘The Link’
The new course offers an introduction to domestic abuse, abuse of children, abuse of animals and ‘The Link’ between the three, the use and abuse of the human animal bond, and the role of specialist domestic abuse animal fostering services. The course signposts learners to safe and appropriate responses and sources of support in these circumstances, whether or not the individuals have a mandatory safeguarding duty.
Sara Main, Pets Foundation Manager, said, “We are delighted to have awarded The Links Group with a grant to support their work. This will help more people to recognise and act on domestic abuse, which is a crucial intervention for supporting victim-survivors and their much-loved pets. Thank you to our supporters for helping create a better world for pets and the people who love them.”
Rebecca Stephens, Associate Professor in Social Work and Links Group Trustee, said, “This course is a welcome addition to the human welfare space, helping social workers understand the link between the abuse of animals and people. We greatly welcome the expertise of veterinary colleagues whose insights can help identify, understand and respond to signs of co-occurring abuse, and support early intervention. Cross-disciplinary collaboration is key to protecting both people and animals.”