Domestic Abuse Veterinary Initiative launched
The Scottish charity Medics Against Violence (MAV) has announced the launch of the Domestic Abuse Veterinary Initiative (DAVI) in an attempt to help vets detect instances of domestic violence in cases where animals are also being abused. A combination of clinical evidence and research suggests a link between the abuse of animals, children and vulnerable adults, and the Veterinary Defence Society (VDS) currently receives approximately 5 calls per month from veterinary surgeons seeking advice on this issue.
The initiative has the support of OneKind, Crimestoppers and the Links Group (which includes the British Veterinary Association). On request, a practice can receive an 'Are you and your pet sharing a secret?' waiting room poster, a practice note and online guidance notes. All veterinary practices in Scotland will be written to to raise awareness and CPD training courses are also planned for later in the year. The request can be made from the MAV co-ordinator on 0141 532 5816 or via admin@medicsagainstviolence.org. The BVA has also made the online guidance notes available here.
Commenting, Dr Freda Scott-Park (BVA representative on the Links Group and Chair of the same) said “While this is currently a Scottish initiative we hope to roll it out UK-wide in time and I encourage all UK vets to look at the guidance notes. My questions to vets are: ‘have you had a case where the animal’s injuries didn’t match up with the owner’s story?’ and ‘could you have made a difference to the animal and the potential human victim of domestic abuse?’ Ultimately I would like practices to incorporate the MAV/DAVI guidance into their practice protocols.”
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
