The ACT Party has announced a new policy proposal aimed at preventing family violence perpetrators from using pets to coerce or control their victims. Launched at a Pet Refuge on Sunday, the plan seeks to amend the Crimes Act to criminalize the weaponization of companion animals, with potential prison sentences of up to seven years for offenders.
Why the policy targets pet abuse in family violence
According to ACT Family and Sexual Violence spokesperson Karen Chhour, the policy addresses a critical barrier that prevents victims from leaving dangerous households. Chhour stated that abusive partners are almost 11 times more likely to intentionally harm an animal than partners in non-abusive relationships. Data cited by the party indicates that more than half of victims said they delayed leaving an abusive relationship because they felt responsible for the safety of their pets. “Perpetrators use threats against beloved pets as another way to intimidate and trap their victims,” Chhour said.
Proposed changes to the Crimes Act and police powers
The ACT Party proposal outlines several legislative and operational changes to increase protections for both victims and their animals:
- Criminalizing coercion: Amending the Crimes Act to make using an animal as a tool for control or coercion an offence, carrying a maximum penalty of seven years in prison.
- Strengthening Protection Orders: Updating orders to explicitly prohibit offenders from selling, giving away, or withholding a victim’s companion animal.
- Police intervention: Granting police clear statutory authority to remove animals to safe locations—such as the SPCA or a Pet Refuge—if they are being used for coercion or are at risk of harm.
- Reporting requirements: Mandating that police include companion animals in official family harm reports.
Chhour noted that current police protocols often result in victims escaping violence while their pets remain with the alleged abuser, providing the perpetrator with a continued means of manipulation.
Support from animal welfare groups
Pet Refuge, an organization that provides temporary shelter for animals affected by family violence, has welcomed the policy. Founder Julie Chapman stated that the charity frequently observes how the bond between owners and pets is exploited by abusers. “Abusers know the bond people have with their pets and deliberately use that bond to threaten, control and manipulate the people they are abusing,” Chapman said. She added that ensuring the safety of a pet serves as a tangible way to help victims leave dangerous environments.
What happens next
The policy is a proposed legislative platform. If the policy were adopted, it would represent a formal shift in how law treats the intersection of domestic violence and animal welfare.
