10.12.25
As the Christmas lights fill homes with warmth, tradition, and celebration, it’s easy to imagine this season as universally joyful. But for many families, both people and pets, Christmas is one of the most dangerous times of the year. Financial pressures, heightened emotions, increased alcohol use, and social isolation can all escalate the risk of domestic abuse. And when abuse happens behind closed doors, animals are often targeted too.
Yet even in this season of heightened vulnerability, there is real hope. The Protect Animals. Protect People. campaign has shown that when we shine a light on the link between animal cruelty and human abuse, extraordinary things can happen. This year, that light has grown brighter than ever.
2025 – A Year of Remarkable Progress
One of the most uplifting aspects of the campaign is witnessing the gathering momentum, proof that compassion is contagious. Across the world, individuals and organisations are recognising that safeguarding animals and safeguarding people must go hand in hand.
This year alone has been transformative:
The Links Group has woven the concept into their excellent online training, ensuring that more practitioners understand the vital connection between animal abuse and human harm. We are profoundly grateful to the entire professional team at the Links Group for their expertise, dedication, and unwavering commitment to raising awareness of these links. Their collaborative spirit and their willingness to embed this knowledge into practitioner training have strengthened the movement immeasurably, helping to ensure that more victims, both human and animal, are recognised, supported, and protected.
The Protect animals. Protect people. phrase has this year been referenced in the UK Parliament, included in an Early Day Motion, and incorporated into amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill, a sign that policymakers are finally paying attention. Workplace domestic abuse policy updates, led by Sharon Livermore MBE and Rosie Watson now formally recognise how pets are used within coercive and controlling behaviour.
The RSPCA, alongside all 44 police forces, has integrated guidance on animals within domestic abuse into both public resources and internal procedures.
Refuge4Pets through Dr Mary Wakeham and the RSPCA are collaborating on a powerful new pilot project under MARAC (Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences) , placing animals firmly on the radar in multi-agency public protection work.
Greece and Ireland have used the campaign’s tagline this year, bringing the message to new communities.
This is more than progress, it’s a cultural shift.
Champions Leading the Way
Behind every change are passionate people dedicating their time, expertise, and heart to this movement. This year has showcased incredible leadership:
We’ve also been incredibly fortunate to have so many dedicated leaders championing this movement as speakers at our events. Christina Warner has been instrumental in advancing Ruby’s Law and weaving animal welfare into civil litigation. Catherine Heyworth continues to explore essential legal pathways to strengthen protection for both people and animals. Sam Billingham works tirelessly to deepen public understanding of coercive control in all its forms, while Maya Badham pioneers vital training for frontline practitioners who are so often the first to recognise the signs of harm.
We are also deeply grateful to Dr Marc Abraham OBE, whose support over the last three years of the October APDAWG meetings has been invaluable, meetings where all of those mentioned above have played a key role in promoting and supporting our campaign.
In addition, we honour Jo Stevenson, Sam Beckinsale, and our patron Wendy Turner-Webster, who have courageously shared their own personal experiences of domestic abuse, offering truth, connection, and hope to others.
Together, their voices remind us that meaningful change always begins with courageous individuals.
Christmas Hope in a Time of Risk
The end of 16 Days of Activism, a global movement to raise awareness and call for an end to violence against women and girls, becomes a powerful moment to reflect. Christmas, for all its magic, brings a spike in domestic abuse incidents, and with them, increased risk for the animals who share those homes. Pets are often used as tools of manipulation, intimidation, punishment, or control, trapping victims in situations they fear they cannot escape.
But this year, more than ever, survivors and their animals are not alone.
Because of the campaign’s momentum, more professionals are trained to spot the signs. More agencies understand the link. More laws are being shaped with animals in mind. More communities are becoming places of safety and awareness.
A Brighter Season Ahead
This year, our collective efforts are proving that light is growing, steadily, tangibly, powerfully. Together, we are showing the world that protecting animals and protecting people are inseparable. Together, we are rewriting the story for families who deserve safety at Christmas and all year round. Together, we are creating a future where no one, human or animal, is left behind in silence or suffering.
Together, we are offering hope.
Merry Christmas everyone.
