A Survey of Veterinary Medical Professionals’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Experiences with Animal Sexual Abuse

ABSTRACT

There has been little study of animal sexual abuse (ASA). Subsequently, little is known about veterinary medical professionals’ (e.g., Veterinarians, Veterinary Technicians, Veterinary Nurses) knowledge of ASA and how they may contribute to the prevention of ASA. Thus, the objective of this paper is to comprehensively study ASA in a sample of veterinary medical professionals. Eighty-eight professionals were recruited through professional associations and posts on social media to take part in a survey examining non-sexual animal abuse, ASA, and criminal justice perceptions. Results indicated that, levels of knowledge and training were much lower for ASA than non-sexual abuse. Professionals also responded punitively toward individuals who have committed sexual abuse against animals and supported long prison sentences and registries for offenders. Veterinary medical professionals were supportive of mandatory reporting of all types of abuse but did not feel prepared to testify in these cases should they go to court. These results have implications for practice as they indicate that veterinary medical professionals are not receiving enough training on abuse – particularly ASA – which could put their patients at risk of continued harm.

KEYWORDS:

• Animal sexual abuse
• animal welfare
• mandatory reporting
• responses to abuse
• veterinary medical education

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Dr. Sky Stephens, Dr. Tracey Curwen, Dr. Leigh Harkins, and Dr. J. Goldmacher for their expertise in the creation of this survey. This research was supported by a research award from The Centre for Forensic Behavioural Sciences and Justice Studies.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by The Centre for Forensic Behavioural Sciences and Justice Studies.