The newest goal of the BC SPCA "to promote more effective cross-reporting between law enforcement, animal care, and social service agencies in the province" is an excellent start.

The only part missing is the ACTION step.

The BC SPCA is missing out on the opportunity to actually DO something very positive to be pro-active and help the VICTIMS of abuse before the crisis.

In 1997, I had the opportunity to volunteer for Lake Cowichan Community Services and co-wrote a successful proposal to government for a combination community services and safe house to be built in Lake Cowichan.

The Family Violence Prevention Division of Health Canada states" It is estimated that at least one in eight Canadian women is assaulted by her husband or live-in male partner; and she is 13 times more likely to be abused in her home than by a stranger on the streets. In Canada during 1990, an average of two women were killed by their male partner each week."

The difficulties experienced by women, children and animals have not changed.

Resources and funding have diminished and become harder to access. The perpetrator is no longer automatically charged therefore actually increasing the chance for further violence. Some safe houses have been closed or have been reduced in size.

In actuality, the lack of resources presently available to women, children and animals needing help to leave an abusive situation have worsened over the last two years.

"Torturing an animal can also be used as a way of showing the victim what could happen to them if they challenge the abuser's power". Abusers will sometimes kill a pet, adds Naherniak, simply to eliminate a source of comfort to the victim. A study done by the SPCA in Ontario revealed 61% of women leaving violent relationships had had their pets abused or killed by their partner. In the same study, 48% of the women surveyed said they delayed leaving their partners because they could not take their pet and feared for the animal's safety."

This is where the BC SPCA COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE

If every BC SPCA branch in the province were to set up a program of FREE boarding and foster care for the animals coming out of abusive situations it would allow those being abused to leave much earlier and while they and their animals are still alive. Of course, referrals from a social worker or a safe house might be required so the program would not be abused but presently while some SPCA's in the province may occasionally help with the approval of the branch manager it is not POLICY.

While I am encouraged by the BC SPCA taking the initial step of acknowledging the need to communicate information I would hope an ACTION step could be announced in the very near future.

http://www.spca.bc.ca/media/ViolenceLink_Nov192003_Press.htm