THE definition of domestic violence has been expanded to include emotional manipulation, withholding money and harming the family pet under controversial changes to family law. Remembering that perpetrating pet abuse as children generally leads to perpetrating domestic violence as an adult (and thus training the children) and that up to 80% of abused people will not leave a violent relationship because of threats by the perpetrator to harm the pets, the changes are especially poignant.

This, from the Sydney Morning Herald:

“The changes, which become law t, for the first time broaden the definition of violence beyond physical abuse to other damaging actions to which a child may be exposed, including:

■ Stalking.

■ Repeated derogatory taunts.

■ Intentionally damaging or destroying property.

■ Preventing someone from having contact with family and friends.

Women’s groups say the changes tip the balance of family law back towards putting the safety of children first, while men’s rights groups say they will rob children of time with both parents.

Under the changes, the Family Court will be required to ask parents if there was abuse or a threat of abuse in the relationship.

The federal government believes this change will encourage more victims to raise the problem as many are too scared to bring it up, worried they would be unable to prove abuse.

As well, the court would be required to ask whether children were exposed to abuse from a parent, and this would be taken into consideration when hearing custody cases.

The Family Law Act has been amended to say: ”A child is exposed to family violence if the child sees or hears family violence or otherwise experiences the effects of family violence.”

Australia’s top lawmaker, the federal Attorney-General, Nicola Roxon, who has lobbied for the changes, said she wanted to send a message to all involved in the ”many violent family situations in Australia and who remain invisible to the legal system” that violence has no place in society.

“Unfortunately, more than half of the parenting cases that come to courts involve allegations by one or both parties that the other has been violent,” Ms Roxon said.

In NSW, police recorded 26,673 domestic violence related assaults last year, up from 26,084 the previous year.

The chief executive officer of the National Council of Single Mothers and their Children, Terese Edwards, said the changes reflected a more contemporary understanding of abusive behaviour. ”It clearly sets out what behaviour is unacceptable, including physical and emotional abuse.”

Ms Edwards said she was pleased to see the changes addressed the exposure of children to family violence, which increased the risk of mental and behavioural difficulties.

The changes are a response to a 2006 overhaul of family law by the Howard government, which prioritised shared parenting arrangements. Several subsequent studies of the changes showed children were insufficiently protected from violence and abuse and, in some cases, were forced to spend time with a parent who had been abusive.

The shared parenting provisions have not been rolled back. Instead, the government hopes to sidestep this by placing a greater emphasis on children’s safety where abuse is a factor.

Barry Williams, president of the Lone Fathers Association and a key campaigner for the 2006 changes, was concerned that courts would be too quick to believe allegations of abuse.

The legislation passed without much attention last December.

Australian family law expert Patrick Parkinson, from the faculty of law at the University of Sydney, said he hoped the changes would be positive but was concerned the courts could become distracted by definitions of behaviour.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/taunts-cruelty-to-pets-now-domestic-violence-20120602-1zp1z.html#ixzz1wncwR4AN

New reseach conducted in a UK & Australian group has shown that croossbreeds (including hybrids) have a longer lifespan than almost all  purebred dogs.

Looking at 18 breeds and 21 causes of death the study concluded that only Border Collies and English Springer Spaniels were more long lived than crossbreeds. Remember this study was looking at AVERAGE lifespan, of course there were individuals within each group that had longer or shorter lifespans than the average.

The study also found that neutering was associated with a longer life, and that holding pet insurance was associated with a SHORTER life!!

TO SEE THE STUDY, CLICK HERE

New research has shown that your choice of pet and your breed of choice can tell people a lot about what kind of person YOU are!

We all know the story about the “Tradies Dog” (Kelpie, or CattleDog, or nowadays Bull Terrier cross) or the “Family Dog”  (“Oodle, Labrador, Golden Retriever”) or the “Little Old Ladies” dog (Chihuahua, Maltese, Toy Poodle).

It also applies to which species of pet you own – for example, it is thought that introverted people are more likely to own cats than extroverted people, older gentlemen are more likely to own birds, and educated “adventurous” types are more likely to own reptiles.  

Now there are three studies to let you find out what sort owner YOU are!

First, what Breed Group of Dogs Are You??????

Take a look at which celebrities are into which breeds!

Now, take a deeper look at your Myers Briggs personality type and which Species of animal you represent!