The Oklahoma Bar Journal March 2024

A nimal L aw

Oklahoma’s Laws and Lawyers Have a Vital Role To Play in Helping Humans and Animals Impacted by Domestic Violence By Charis L. Ward

P ETS, FOR MANY OF US, ARE CONSIDERED MEMBERS OF OUR FAMILY. Survivors of domestic violence and child abuse see them no differently. 1 Often, their concern for their pets and livestock and the inability to protect them and take them if they flee can keep them in abusive and highly dangerous situations. 2

cruelty and several opportunities for Oklahoma’s lawyers, judges and lawmakers to help all domes tic violence victims and improve our state’s ranking and reputation.

partner relationship. Domestic vio lence is not simply limited to phys ical abuse. 8 Rather, its dynamics are complex and encompass many forms of abuse, including emo tional, economic, psychological, sexual, technological and animal abuse. 9 Domestic violence does not discriminate. It occurs across all ages, races, genders, education statuses, religious beliefs, socio economic groups and locations. 10 There are established signifi cant correlations between animal abuse, domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, elder abuse and other forms of violence. This species-spanning interconnected ness of different forms of violence is formally called “The Link.” 11 Here are a few common ways ani mal abuse is used as power and

In Oklahoma in 2023, almost 50% of women and about 40% of men either had experienced or were currently experienc ing domestic abuse; this makes Oklahoma the No. 1 state for the occurrence of domestic violence. 3 Furthermore, 89% of domestic vio lence victims with pets reported that their abuser had threatened, injured or killed family animals. 4 Domestic violence perpetra tors and child abusers manipu late, intimidate and silence their victims by routinely abusing the family’s animals or forcing the victim to do the abuse. 5 The need in Oklahoma for good laws and lawyer participation in this area is vast. This article provides an overview of the link between domestic violence and animal

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND THE LINK

Domestic violence, also known as intimate partner violence (IPV) or relationship violence, “is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner.” 6 While a sexual relation ship may be an indicator that a person is an intimate partner, it is never a necessary condition. 7 Simply stated, domestic violence is coercive behavior that influences another person within an intimate

Statements or opinions expressed in the Oklahoma Bar Journal are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Oklahoma Bar Association, its officers, Board of Governors, Board of Editors or staff.

20 | MARCH 2024

THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL