The Violence Connection: A Community Approach to Breaking the Cycles of Violence

Animal care and control agencies have long been placed on the periphery of community service agencies because legislators and the public mistakenly believe their focus is “only an animal.” In reality, they are part of the larger network of family violence prevention programs and first responders to incidents of domestic violence and child and elder abuse. This workshop will describe how animal abuse is linked to interpersonal violence, and how animal shelters’ service philosophy is changing to address human welfare. We’ll discuss how to get legislators to better understand what animal care and control does by “learning what the monster likes and feeding it”. We’ll review innovative legislation and programs going on nationally that better protect animals and people, and give animal care and control personnel handy tips on how to recognize and respond to child abuse, domestic violence and elder abuse.

Presenters:

Phil Arkow, President & Secretary | The National LINK Coalition

Nicole Howland, Special Prosecutor, Domestic Violence Unit | Lexington County Sheriff's Department

Fees:

SCACCA Members $50
Nonmembers $65