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'Domestic Violence as a One Health Issue’ at WSAVA Pre-Congress Workshop
September 26, 2023
The WSAVA's One Health Committee and Animal Wellness and Welfare Committee will host a joint one-day workshop ahead of this year’s WSAVA World Congress during which they will discuss domestic violence as a One Health issue and explore how veterinary teams can implement a community response plan in their towns and regions.
The event, free to WSAVA members, will be led by Dr. Melinda Merck, a forensic veterinarian and global expert in this area. Other speakers include Madeline Bernstein, President of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Los Angeles, USA; Dr. Paula Boyden, Veterinary Director of the UK’s Dogs Trust; Dr. Eunice Marcelino, Prosecutor, Lisbon, Portugal; Dr. Anabela Moreira, forensic veterinarian and toxicologist, Lisbon and Dr. Mauro Paulino, Consultant Forensic Psychologist at the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, Lisbon. During the workshop, the speakers will explore topics including:
- the links between animal cruelty and domestic violence
- the management of suspected animal cruelty cases and domestic violence in veterinary practice
- domestic violence pet response plans currently in use in the UK and the USA
- the forensic psychology of domestic violence and animal cruelty
- the role of industry in domestic violence programs
The full agenda for the workshop is available here.