Uploaded June 2017 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Beyond The Violence Link: Connecting Our Collective Vulnerability to Build A Humane Canada
SUNDAY, APRIL 9, 8:30AM-10:00AM
PLENARY
SPEAKER: Barbara Cartwright, CEO, Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS)
Those who work with animals and in the field of animal welfare, know that there is a direct link between violence against animals and violence against people. This mutual vulnerability to violence has come to be known as the “Violence Link”, which demonstrates reliably that animal abuse co-exists with human abuse and can predict future violence against human beings. CFHS launched the National Centre for the Prosecution of Animal Cruelty in 2015 to support an integrated response to investigating and prosecuting violence of all kinds, which results in more effective action in preventing future violence against both animals and people.
As our community re-focuses our attention on the Violence Link in Canada, we are also seeing a new and deeper appreciation of how the vulnerability of humans affects the welfare of animals. Whether it’s the recently coined “One Welfare” concept, which seeks to illuminate the impacts of human mental health on all species involved, or it is seeking to better understand the relationship between those who are vulnerably housed and their companion animals – we are seeing the elevation of the relationship between animals and humans and a call for greater collaboration across sectors.
This plenary will focus on the common intersections between violence against animals and humans, and the vulnerabilities in both populations. It will establish a framework for how enforcement, social services, community organizations and animal welfare organizations can more effectively work together to address preventable violence and vulnerability for all species in communities across Canada. This includes police officers and administrators, fire fighters and other first responders, enforcement staff and humane societies, SPCAs and rescues, Crown Prosecutors, the Judiciary, politicians and bureaucrats and social service providers from across Canada. It is important that we think of all of these sectors as key stakeholders in a united effort to better recognize the patterns of violence and vulnerability that threaten all species. This specialized expertise, when pooled, is sure to reveal powerful insights and strategies that will advance our collective work.
Three Key Learnings:
1. History and current activities on The Violence Link
2. What emerging research indicates about human vulnerability and animal vulnerability
3. Next steps for a more unified and effective fight against violence and vulnerability in Canada
Beyond The Violence Link: Connecting Our Collective Vulnerability to Build A Humane Canada
SUNDAY, APRIL 9, 8:30AM-10:00AM
PLENARY
SPEAKER: Barbara Cartwright, CEO, Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS)
Those who work with animals and in the field of animal welfare, know that there is a direct link between violence against animals and violence against people. This mutual vulnerability to violence has come to be known as the “Violence Link”, which demonstrates reliably that animal abuse co-exists with human abuse and can predict future violence against human beings. CFHS launched the National Centre for the Prosecution of Animal Cruelty in 2015 to support an integrated response to investigating and prosecuting violence of all kinds, which results in more effective action in preventing future violence against both animals and people.
As our community re-focuses our attention on the Violence Link in Canada, we are also seeing a new and deeper appreciation of how the vulnerability of humans affects the welfare of animals. Whether it’s the recently coined “One Welfare” concept, which seeks to illuminate the impacts of human mental health on all species involved, or it is seeking to better understand the relationship between those who are vulnerably housed and their companion animals – we are seeing the elevation of the relationship between animals and humans and a call for greater collaboration across sectors.
This plenary will focus on the common intersections between violence against animals and humans, and the vulnerabilities in both populations. It will establish a framework for how enforcement, social services, community organizations and animal welfare organizations can more effectively work together to address preventable violence and vulnerability for all species in communities across Canada. This includes police officers and administrators, fire fighters and other first responders, enforcement staff and humane societies, SPCAs and rescues, Crown Prosecutors, the Judiciary, politicians and bureaucrats and social service providers from across Canada. It is important that we think of all of these sectors as key stakeholders in a united effort to better recognize the patterns of violence and vulnerability that threaten all species. This specialized expertise, when pooled, is sure to reveal powerful insights and strategies that will advance our collective work.
Three Key Learnings:
1. History and current activities on The Violence Link
2. What emerging research indicates about human vulnerability and animal vulnerability
3. Next steps for a more unified and effective fight against violence and vulnerability in Canada
