In this book, Nik Taylor and Heather Fraser consider how we might better understand human-animal companionship in the context of domestic violence. The authors advocate an intersectional feminist understanding, drawing on a variety of data from numerous projects they have conducted with people, about their companion animals and links between domestic violence and animal abuse, arguing for a new understanding that enables animals to be constituted as victims of domestic violence in their own right. The chapters analyse the mutual, loving connections that can be formed across species, and in households where there is domestic violence. Companion Animals and Domestic Violence also speaks to the potentially soothing, healing and recovery oriented aspects of human-companion animal relationships before, during and after the violence, and will be of interest to various academic disciplines including social work, anthropology, sociology, philosophy, geography, as wellas to professionals working in domestic violence or animal welfare service provision.

Explores issues of power, representation, love and abuse. Accessibly written, containing personal stories from abuse victims, allowing readers to fully empathise with the issues raised. The first book to document the deep connections between humans and animals in violent situations.

Autorentext

Nik Taylor is Associate Professor at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. Heather Fraser is Associate Professor at the Queensland University of Technology, Australia.

Inhalt

1. Human and Animal Victims of Domestic Violence: Being Rescued. - 2. The Links In-and-Between Human-Animal Abuses: Love, Loyalty and Pain. - 3. What We Choose to Hear: Researching Human-Animal Violence. - 4. Being Subjected to Domestic Violence: Empathic Love and Domination. - 5. Foregrounding Companion Animals' Experiences of Domestic Violence. - 6. Supporting Victims/Survivors: Escape, Refuge and Recovery. - 7. The Work of Significant Other/s: Companion Animal Relationships in the Future.