Understanding the Link Between IntiPartner Violence and Animal Abuse: Evidence from Ecuador

Abstract

Numerosos estudios demuestran que existe una relación estrecha entre Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) y el maltrato hacia los animales. Nuestra investigación complementa trabajos previos sobre la cuestión al examinar en detalles cómo co-ocurren y se relacionan la violencia de pareja y el maltrato hacia los animales en Ecuador. La muestra final está compuesta por un total de 220 mujeres, con media de edad 34.93 (DT = 11.01), que habían convivido con animales durante su última relación de pareja: 101 participantes del Centro Ecuatoriano para la Promoción y Acción de la Mujer (CEPAM) y 119 participantes de la comunidad. Tres conclusiones destacan. Primero, IPV y el maltrato a los animales son dos violencias que coexisten. Segundo, los datos muestran una correlación positiva y significativa entre estos tipos de violencia y sugieren que el maltrato a animales puede ser un importante indicador del nivel de peligrosidad de la pareja agresora. Por último, los datos apoyan el fenómeno de la polivictimización al mostrar que la violencia hacia la mujer, los niños/as y los animales se cometen en ocasiones de manera conjunta y combinada. Dado el apego emocional que las víctimas sienten hacia sus animales, la violencia en el hogar puede entenderse como parte del sistema coercitivo de comportamiento abusivo utilizado por los hombres para coaccionar y hacer sufrir a la pareja, lo que puede entorpecer incluso las decisiones de las mujeres de alejarse de su situación de abuso. En conclusión, nuestro estudio enfatiza la urgencia de seguir estudiando la violencia de manera integral para desarrollar programas y políticas eficaces que puedan disuadir distintas formas de abuso y proteger a todas las víctimas (humanas y no humanas).

Numerous studies show that there is a close relationship between Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and animal abuse. Violence (IPV) and animal abuse. Our research complements previous work on the by examining in detail how intimate partner violence and animal abuse co-occur and are related in Ecuador. and animal abuse co-occur and are related in Ecuador. The final sample consists of a total of The final sample consists of a total of 220 women, mean age 34.93 (SD = 11.01), who had lived with animals during their last intimate animals during their last relationship: 101 participants from the Ecuadorian Centre for the Promotion and Action of Women (Centro Ecuatoriano para for the Promotion and Action of Women (CEPAM) and 119 participants from the community. Three findings stand out. First, IPV and animal abuse are two forms of violence that coexist. coexist. Second, the data show a positive and significant correlation between these types of violence and suggest that IPV and animal abuse are two coexisting forms of violence. and suggest that animal abuse may be an important indicator of the aggressor partner's level of dangerousness. level of dangerousness of the abusive partner. Lastly, the data support the phenomenon of polyvictimisation phenomenon by showing that violence towards women, children and animals is sometimes sometimes committed jointly and in combination. Given the emotional attachment that Given the emotional attachment that victims feel towards their animals, violence in the home can be understood as part of the coercive system of abusive behaviour. coercive system of abusive behaviour used by men to coerce and cause their partners to suffer, which is coerce and make the partner suffer, which may even hinder women's decisions to leave their abusive situation. away from their abusive situation. In conclusion, our study emphasises the urgency of to continue to study violence in a comprehensive manner in order to develop effective programmes and policies effective programmes and policies that can deter different forms of abuse and protect all victims (human and non-human). (human and non-human).