Animals: The Silent Victims of Abuse

Sixty-eight percent of American households include at least one pet, and within those homes where domestic violence or child abuse occur, eighty-eight percent also include animal abuse. Animals and pets are the silent victims of abuse, who cannot reach out for help and have no lifeline of support. Author, attorney and animal advocate Allie Phillips is changing that through programs that shelter pets alongside domestic violence survivors in agencies around the world. A former child abuse and domestic violence prosecutor, Allie Phillips has developed programs including Sheltering Animals & Families Together (SAF-T)® and Therapy Animals Supporting Kids (TASK) to safeguard animals from further abuse as well as support the healing of trauma for their human companions.