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Showing posts with the label Child Protection

The Link Between Animal Abuse and Family Violence: Why Protecting Pets Protects People

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When I look at Lincoln — my sweet boy with those soft, trusting eyes — I’m reminded of the purest kind of love. He doesn’t worry about safety, loyalty, or whether he’ll be cared for tomorrow. He knows he is protected. And that’s what every animal should feel. But for so many pets, that isn’t the reality. And what most people don’t realize is this: **Animal abuse is rarely an isolated act. It’s a warning sign of deeper violence happening inside the home.** This connection is so strong and so consistent that psychologists, child-protective workers, animal-control officers, and domestic-violence advocates refer to it simply as The Link. What “The Link” Actually Means Decades of research show a powerful pattern: 57% of families investigated for child maltreatment also had a harmed animal. 48–71% of domestic-violence survivors say their abuser threatened or hurt their pets. Children who harm animals often come from homes where they themselves are ab...

🕯️ A Shared Voice for Mimi’s Law

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A single flame can light countless hearts. For Mimi, for justice, for change. 💔 When I began this journey to advocate for Mimi’s Law , I hoped for awareness — but what I’ve witnessed instead is something even more substantial: unity. Across Connecticut, people are coming together to demand change after the tragic loss of 12-year-old Jacqueline “Mimi” Torres-Garcia , whose life was taken far too soon. The heartbreak of her story has sparked not just one petition, but several — each driven by the same determination to ensure that no child is ever forgotten again. Recently, I came across another petition started by a fellow advocate, a father who courageously shared his own experience with the failures of our system. His story — and those of others — show that this isn’t just about one case or one child. It’s about all children who fall through the cracks when agencies, courts, and laws fail to protect them. Whether the message comes from New Britain, Hartford, or beyond, the goal re...