Protect pets from family violence

Protect pets from family violence

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Our companion animals are family members. It’s time they are recognised as that under our family violence laws - protecting their lives, and the lives of those experiencing family violence. 

Animal Justice Party MP Andy Meddick will bring a motion proposing the following changes to family violence prevention laws:

1. Recognition of companion animals as vulnerable individuals in cases of family violence - This includes changing the definition of 'family member' to include companion animals.

2. Automatic guardianship transfer away from violent offenders to the victim-survivors of family violence - When an animal is registered in a violent offender’s name, it ...

Our companion animals are family members. It’s time they are recognised as that under our family violence laws - protecting their lives, and the lives of those experiencing family violence. 

Animal Justice Party MP Andy Meddick will bring a motion proposing the following changes to family violence prevention laws:

1. Recognition of companion animals as vulnerable individuals in cases of family violence - This includes changing the definition of 'family member' to include companion animals.

2. Automatic guardianship transfer away from violent offenders to the victim-survivors of family violence - When an animal is registered in a violent offender’s name, it creates an enormous barrier to escape family violence. Too often violent offenders will threaten to hurt a family pet if an escape attempt is made. This type of coercive control alongside other barriers often leads to unsafe and dangerous outcomes for those experiencing family violence.  

3. More pet friendly crisis accommodation including increased funding and one-off government payments - Because nobody should have to choose between homelessness with their companion animal, or a roof over their head without. 

4. Greater scope to family violence leave provisions - This allows women to access work-related leave for the purpose of caring for and making arrangements for companion animals.

5. Specific risk assessment for companion animal abuse - To allow family violence services to provide relevant safety planning and support to companion animals as victim-survivors of family violence.

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PROTECT OUR PETS - Sign today!

If supported, this reform will make significant improvements to supporting women in their escape from violence, recognising and protecting the rights of animals and keeping family members together.  

Sign the petition to show your support today.  

Dear Victorian Government,

Please support the Animal Justice Party's motion to remove barriers that prevent those experiencing family violence from escaping safely with their animals.

We, the undersigned, fully support the proposed reform for family violence prevention to include considerations for the protection of companion animals.

By ensuring companion animals are protected in our family violence laws and policies, it doesn't just keep our pets safe, it keeps women safe too.

Far too often, family animals are used as tools for manipulation or coercion. Sometimes, it is animals that are the first victims of family violence in a household.

This reform is a positive step towards the fight to end family violence in our state.

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