APDAWG Presents: The Link Between Domestic & Animal Abuse

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From awareness to action: delivering practical solutions to protect people & animals

The link between domestic abuse & animal abuse is now widely recognised, but recognition alone is not enough. The focus must now move towards action. 

This session will bring together experts across the legal, safeguarding, domestic abuse & animal welfare sectors to explore the practical solutions, law & policy needed to strengthen responses & ensure effective protections are available for victims, families & animals. 

All working together to strengthen safeguarding, improve interventions & deliver better protection for both people & animals. 

Speaker line-up includes: 

• Christina Warner (Ruby’s Law)

Christina Warner is an award-winning family barrister, specialising in domestic abuse, child protection & animal welfare. She is the founder of ‘Ruby’s Law’, a groundbreaking campaign for legislative reform to protect animals & survivors of domestic abuse from abuse, threats & coercive control. A passionate advocate for justice & systemic change, Christina works across the legal, parliamentary & animal welfare sectors to drive meaningful reform & strengthen protections for vulnerable victims.

• Annette Bramley (Holly’s Mum/Holly's Law)

Annette is proud mother to 26-year-old Holly Bramley, who was tragically murdered by her husband at their Lincoln home in March 2023. Annette’s mission, together with the rest of Holly’s family, as Holly’s legacy, is the establishment of "Holly's Law" a nationwide Animal Cruelty Register, to prevent similar crimes in future by listing individuals known for harming or killing animals. 

• Dr Paula Boyden BVetMed HonDVM&S FRCVS (Chair of The Links Group)

Dr Paula Boyden graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 1992 & has worked in clinical vet practice, industry & charitable sector. Paula has an interest in the link between abuse of animals & abuse of people, & has spoken widely on the subject. She is the current Chair of The Links Group charity.

• Dr Yasmin Amer (Veterinary surgeon & Social worker)

Yasmin Amer is both a practising vet & independent social worker. Yasmin studied law, then later social work, before qualifying as a vet. She’s now bringing together these disciplines in her work with both people & animals, acting as an expert witness social worker, undertaking assessments & providing professional evidence on complex safeguarding matters in children & families. Yasmin is passionate about improving collaboration, ensuring that concerns relating to animals are recognised as an important part of understanding risk & vulnerability within families.

• Lucinda Glenny (Campaigner & survivor)

Lucinda Glenny brings calm to the chaos for busy, helping overwhelmed entrepreneurs as an event PA. She’s also a renowned & respected Domestic Violence Advocate & Speaker who is now happy to speak up, share her story, spread hope & find ways to help others rebuild their confidence & strength, especially if they’re still living through what she once did; thus helping other survivors, both 2- & 4-legged.

• Charlotte Budd (The Wholeness Project)

Charlotte Budd is a domestic abuse survivor, advocate, educator & founder of The Wholeness Project. Her work brings together healing the individual, educating communities & professionals, plus challenging the systems that too often fail survivors & their children. At its heart is a belief that lasting healing requires safety within ourselves, across society & in every institution we turn to for support.

NOTE: This meeting will be followed by drinks, food & networking at a nearby venue, generously sponsored by Agria Pet Insurance.