A new National Roadmap for Change to Prevent and End Family Violence against People and Animals launched this week. The roadmap is being championed by Lucy’s Project, a charity with a mission to improve the safety and wellbeing of people and animals experiencing domestic and family violence.
Despite research showing that people often delay leaving, or do not leave, a violent partner due to concerns for the safety and wellbeing of their animal companions, there has never been a national policy or strategy to address family violence used against people and animals at a systemic level in Australia.
Monique Dam, Lucy’s Project CEO, says the Roadmap provides a clear pathway for governments, policymakers and family violence services to better protect people and animals experiencing family violence.
“For too long the connection between human and animal safety has been overlooked. We know that if animals are at risk of violence, then the people who love them are at risk too,” says Monique.
“When there is nowhere safe for survivors to go with their animals, many delay leaving and are forced to continue living with a partner and parent using violence. When animals are killed or harmed, or separated from them, women and children grieve this loss for decades afterwards.”
“We are calling on all levels of government to adopt the Roadmap’s recommendations and invest in coordinated reform that protects people and animals together,” says Monique.
With 73% of Australian households living with a pet, and 1 in 4 women in Australia reporting experiencing domestic violence, it has never been more critical to advocate for greater awareness, collaboration, investment and policy action.
The framework sets out recommendations for policy, programs and legislative change to improve the safety and wellbeing of people and animals experiencing family violence across Australia. The Roadmap was launched at Australian Parliament House on 19 August, and will also be launched at NSW Parliament House on 24 September.
Recognising the significance of this work in creating meaningful change, the Petstock Foundation is proud to support Lucy’s Project through a one-year alliance and $150,000 investment. Naomi Mancktelow, Petstock Foundation Team Lead, says, “Our partnership with Lucy’s Project reflects a shared commitment to creating a future where every person and animal is safe from family violence. Most Australians consider pets as members of their family, and no person should have to choose between their safety and the safety of their pet.
“By helping to enable national collaboration and drive long-term systemic change, our support reflects our dedication to strengthening the human–animal bond that is often threatened when people and pets are experiencing domestic and family violence,” says Naomi.
Talie Star, a survivor advocate whose insights have informed the Roadmap says, “Being in a place where there was not a lot of love, my animals created that love and that safe place. It was like a softness in all the hardness.”
“When you are going through pretty much daily violence, it’s a different and stronger connection,” says Talie.
People and animals experiencing domestic and family violence can face additional barriers to safety, including a lack of animal-inclusive crisis accommodation. With the support of the Petstock Foundation, Lucy’s Project is driving greater collaboration, investment and policy action to keep people and pets together and ensure both can access the support they need to be safe.
To learn more about the National Roadmap for Change, contact hello@lucysproject.com.
