Breakout #22c- Addressing the Link: Ohio initiatives to engage social workers through cross-reporting

Presenters: Aviva Vincent, PhD, LMSW, VSW, Bethanie Poe, PhD, MSW, VSW, Shelby McDonald, PhD, MSW, and Vicki Deisner

1.5 CEUs for social work, counseling, marriage & family therapists, and chemical dependency

 Animal abuse and cruelty is a potential indicator and precursor of inter-personal violence (IPV). The Link is a term explaining the concordance of animal abuse and IPV. Similar to IPV, animal abuse is often grounded in power and control dynamics that can range from a very young age (training and grooming) or elder adulthood (elder abuse). Though pets are regarded as property by US law, most people identify pets as part of the family unit. However, documenting cases, bringing charges, and achieving justice is difficult; and cross-reporting systems are often absent altogether we seek to change this dynamic.

More information: https://www.naswoh.org/page/breakouts19