08-R339

2008 -- H 8412

Enacted 06/19/08

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL HOUSE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE AND ANIMAL CRUELTY

Introduced By: Representatives Lewiss, and Serpa

Date Introduced: June 19, 2008

     WHEREAS, The link, a new paradigm correlating animal abuse, family violence and

other forms of community violence has been established. When animals in a home are abused or

neglected, it is a warning sign that others in the household may not be safe; and

     WHEREAS, Professionals who help families in crisis are increasingly recognizing the

role that animals play in the dynamics of family violence. Abuse of vulnerable adults, children,

and animals is connected in a self-perpetuating cycle of violence; and

     WHEREAS, In a nationwide study, more than 71 percent of battered women reported

that their abusers had harmed, killed or threatened animals; and

     WHEREAS, Twelve independent surveys have reported that between 18 percent and 48

percent of battered women have delayed their decision to leave their batterer, or have returned to

their batterer, out of fear for the welfare of their pets or livestock; and

     WHEREAS, Research has shown that between 62 and 76 percent of animal cruelty in the

home occurs in front of children. Significant research has documented a relationship between

childhood histories of animal cruelty and patterns of chronic interpersonal aggression. Children

who are exposed to domestic violence are nearly three times more likely to treat animals with

cruelty than children who are not exposed to such violence. Animal cruelty committed by

children is often symptomatic of future abuse towards other animals or people, based upon review

of the available data; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That a special house commission be and the same is hereby created

consisting of twenty-one (21) members: three (3) of whom shall be members of the House of

Representatives, not more than two (2) from the same political party, to be appointed by the

Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be the Director of the Department of Children, Youth

and Families, or designee; one of whom shall be the Director of the Department of Elderly

Affairs, or designee; one of whom shall be the Director of the Department of Human Services, or

designee; one of whom shall be the Attorney General, or designee; one of whom shall be the

Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Family Court, or designee; one of whom shall be the Chief

Justice of the Rhode Island District Court, or designee; one of whom shall be the Child Advocate,

or designee; one of whom shall be the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Society for the

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or designee; one of whom shall be the President of the Animal

Control Officers Association, or designee; one of whom shall be the President of the Rhode

Island Veterinary Medical Association, or designee; one of whom shall be the President of the

Rhode Island Medical Association, or designee; one of whom shall be the President of the

National Association of Social Workers – Rhode Island Chapter (NASW-RI), or designee; one of

whom shall be the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence,

or designee; one of whom shall be the Chairperson of the Rhode Island Crime Prevention

Association, or designee; one of whom shall be the President of the Police Chiefs Association, or

designee; one of whom shall be a Juvenile Probation Officer, to be appointed by the Speaker; and

two (2) of whom shall be members of the general public, to be appointed by the Speaker.

     In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a permanent advisory

commission, a legislative study commission, or any commission created by a general assembly

resolution, the appointing authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu

of a legislator, provided that the majority leader or the minority leader of the political party which

is entitled to the appointment consents to the appointment of the member of the general public.

     The purpose of said commission shall be to develop recommendations for working

together to establish strategies for a coordinated response to these needs by professionals in

domestic violence intervention, law enforcement, child protection, human and veterinary

medicine, education and animal care and control by a comprehensive study of:

     Cross-training and cross-reporting among law enforcement officers, humane

investigators, veterinarians, health professionals, domestic violence advocates

and child protection workers;

     Training and continuing education about the link between domestic violence and

animal abuse for judges and prosecutors;

     Model legislation for cross-reporting and cross-reporting standards;

     Systematic tracking of national animal abuse data;

     Expanded research about domestic violence and animal abuse, including

evaluation of prevention and intervention approaches;

     Inclusion of animal-focused violence in standard assessments and intake forms

for child protective services, mental health and domestic violence workers; and

     A community partnership to respond to family violence and educate the public

about taking all acts of violence seriously.

     Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at

the call of the Speaker of the House and organize and shall select from among the legislators a

chairperson. Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original

appointment.

     The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.

     All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,

documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or

desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.

     The Speaker of the House of Representatives is hereby authorized and directed to provide

suitable quarters for said commission; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the

House of Representatives no later than March 2, 2010 and said commission shall expire on June

2, 2010.

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LC03197

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