Leanne Sillers works with the Saskatchewan SPCA and is also a social worker. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

Saskatchewan SPCA

Animal abuse often sign of domestic violence: Social worker

May 7, 2019 | 5:00 PM

Northern Animal Rescue (NAR) invited Saskatchewan SPCA animal safekeeping coordinator Leanne Sillers to La Ronge this week to educate residents on a concept known as The Link.

“Most times domestic violence doesn’t happen in the middle of the street, it happens behind closed doors,” Sillers, who is also a registered social worker, said. “With The Link, a lot of times what you might see is the animal abuse. The animal abuse is the tip of the iceberg. You’re going to see that in a community more than a couple who is arguing and being violent to each other. It’s a good signal to think about what else is going on in the family.”

It’s important residents understand the concept because Sillers stated Saskatchewan has the highest domestic violence rates in the country, adding the rate in Indigenous and northern communities is even higher. In northern Saskatchewan, she noted there’s also a lack of access to services and resources to alleviate some of the problems. One issue women are faced with when fleeing a violent relationship is the fact no shelter in the province accepts pets.

In relationships with domestic violence, Sillers said pets are often used as a way to manipulate and control victims. That can involve threats about what could happen to the pet if the victim leaves or acts of animal abuse. As a social worker, Sillers mentioned women have reported staying in violent relationships because of the fear of what could happen to their pet.

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“There’s a really strong connection in a human-animal bond,” she said. “Animals provide that unconditional love and acceptance.”

If anyone suspects an animal is being abused, residents are encouraged to contact both the RCMP and Animal Protection Services of Saskatchewan. When incidents are reported, it gives authorities the chance to investigate, which sometimes evolves into domestic violence charges.

According to NAR Chairperson Genevieve Candelora, there has been discussion in the organization into expanding to offer services specifically for pets of domestic violence victims. She said that would allow those seeking help to not worry about leaving pets behind when fleeing their situation. That service isn’t currently available, Candelora stated, but she said it’s definitely needed.

“There hasn’t been many incidents when we have worked with the women shelter yet until just recently,” she said. “It kind of prompted us to begin being a little bit more serious in the work being done in this programming, and try to figure out how we can recruit foster homes for the safekeeping program.”

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno