The Links Group has launched a new online training course to help non-animal welfare professionals working in homes recognise and act on ‘The Link’ between abuse of animals and abuse of people, funded by a generous grant from the Pets Foundation.
Protecting Animals, Protecting People: in the Home is a free, modular, online course suitable for a broad range of professions and individuals, including:
- safeguarding professionals working in or around the home and knowingly working with victim-survivors of domestic and/or child abuse (e.g. police officers, social workers, paramedics etc),
- professionals with a mandate to report on suspicions of abuse (e.g. midwives, district nurse, health visitors, social workers, etc),
- and those who might have cause for concern regarding animal, child or domestic abuse as a result of experiences during their working day but without a statutory duty to report in their role (e.g. postal workers, delivery drivers, trades such as plumbers, builders, gardeners, and hairdressers etc).
This course has been created by The Links Group in collaboration with subject matter experts in safeguarding, domestic abuse, policing, social work and social care, education, probation, housing, youth services, addiction services, the human-animal bond and animal welfare.
Introducing ‘The Link’
The new course offers an introduction to domestic abuse, abuse of children, abuse of animals and ‘The Link’ between the three, the use and abuse of the human animal bond, and the role of specialist domestic abuse animal fostering services. The course signposts learners to safe and appropriate responses and sources of support in these circumstances, whether or not the individuals have a mandatory safeguarding duty.
Free virtual learning for vet teams and allied professionals can be accessed at the Links Group’s website: https://thelinksgroup.org.uk/virtual-learning/
The Links Group raises awareness of the link between the abuse of people and animals through collaboration, research, training and advocacy. The charity provides resources, support and training to help veterinary and allied professional teams recognise and act on concerns about animals or other vulnerable members of the family. To find out more, visit: thelinksgroup.org.uk
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