Join us on Wednesday, March 25th as the AVA Webinar Series presents Humans, Animals, and Intimate Partner Violence: Shared Victimizations, and Shared Solutions, featuring Dr. Rochelle Stevenson from Thompson Rivers University.
Wednesday, March 25th, 2026
12 – 1:30pm MST
Companion animals, or pets, are an important part of life for many people. General pet ownership estimates for North America indicate that over 60 percent of households have at least one pet, and pets are increasingly being considered family members. Companion animals are often viewed as children or siblings and anthropomorphized, and genuinely grieved when they die. However, the status of companion animals as family members also creates a vulnerability for being victimized along with the human family members in situations of intimate partner violence.
Dr. Stevenson’s talk will discuss her research on intimate partner violence and the inclusion of companion animals in the violent dynamic. In particular, this presentation will present recent research on the prevalence of the inclusion of animals in situations of intimate partner violence, the impact on victim/survivors, the role that companion animals play in healing from violence, and solutions to support both human and animal victim/survivors of intimate partner violence.
About the Speaker
Dr. Rochelle Stevenson is an Associate Professor of Criminology in the Department of Environment, Culture, and Society at Thompson Rivers University, and faculty member with the Animal and Interpersonal Abuse Research Group (AIPARG). Dr. Stevenson’s research focuses on gender-based violence. Her work includes the intersection of interpersonal violence and violence against animals, barriers to help-seeking from intimate partner violence, and sexualized violence. Dr. Stevenson maintains an intersectional and anti-oppression foundation in her research and activism with two overarching goals: naming, understanding, and stopping violence in any form, and advocating for social justice with inclusive social policy and practice.