The impact of forced separations between women and their pets in domestic violence situations and the effectiveness of crisis response: A study protocol
Journal Contribution ResearchOnline@JCUAbstract
Background: Women are at high risk of experiencing trauma, guilt and stress when forced to separate from their companion animals when fleeing domestic violence. Where little support is available for women and pets to stay together, women may be forced to delay leaving the abusive relationship or leave the pet with the abuser. Forced separation places both women and pets at significant risk, where pets may be used as a coercive control measure. However, little evidence exists of the extent of how Australian services or policy offer support in these circumstances. Objective: Research is being undertaken to increase the understanding and the impacts of forced separation between women and their pets in domestic violence situations. The research will investigate the effectiveness of service responses for both women and animals to develop a policy framework that guides service improvement, with the aim to improve outcomes for both women and pets fleeing domestic violence. Methodologies: This protocol paper describes the process of developing a conceptual framework of four studies that include a scoping review, policy analysis, focus groups and interviews that guides the design of the qualitative research project. Results: A scoping review of literature of forced separation from pets in domestic violence, natural disaster and homelessness situations has led to the development of a conceptual framework that guided the design of the proposed study. The review also confirmed the necessity of the proposed research project in addressing the lack of Australian national frameworks and guidance available for women and pets in domestic violence situations seeking formal supports and how different. Conclusion: Via a systematic process, the importance of the proposed study in improving the understanding of the impact of forced separation between women and their pets at times of domestic violence and the gaps in best supporting both women and their pets has been confirmed. A study design based on the learnings from previous study and the focus of the current research has been finalized. The impact of the research project in developing an Australian National Framework in best supporting women and their pets in crisis situation is anticipated.
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JMIR Research Protocols
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13
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1929-0748
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9
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JMIR Publications, Inc
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