Coercive Control and Abused Women's Decisions About Their Pets When Seeking Shelter

Authors

Jennifer L. Hardesty, University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignFollow
Lyndal Khaw, Montclair State UniversityFollow
Marcella D. Ridgway, A Woman's Place
Cheryl Weber, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Teresa Miles, A Woman's Place

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-1-2013

Journal / Book Title

Journal of interpersonal violence

Abstract

The importance of pets in families, especially during major life stressors, is well documented. Research suggests links between pet ownership and intimate partner violence (IPV). This study explored abused women's decisions about pets when seeking help from a shelter. Interviews were conducted with 19 women who were pet owners. Using grounded theory methods, two patterns emerged surrounding abusers' treatment of pets, bonds to pets, women's decisions about pets upon seeking shelter, and future plans for pets. The presence of coercive control was central to these patterns. Women also discussed their experiences with and needs from shelter professionals and veterinarians with implications for practice.

DOI

10.1177/0886260513487994

MSU Digital Commons Citation

Hardesty, Jennifer L.; Khaw, Lyndal; Ridgway, Marcella D.; Weber, Cheryl; and Miles, Teresa, "Coercive Control and Abused Women's Decisions About Their Pets When Seeking Shelter" (2013). Department of Family Science and Human Development Scholarship and Creative Works. 43.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/familysci-facpubs/43

Published Citation

Hardesty, J. L., Khaw, L., Ridgway, M. D., Weber, C., & Miles, T. (2013). Coercive Control and Abused Women’s Decisions About Their Pets When Seeking Shelter. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 28(13), 2617-2639. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260513487994