Banwell, Stacy ORCID: 0000-0001-7395-2617 (2023) “They have literally given up on life;” A review of the experiences of nonhuman animals subject to reproductive violence and coercion on factory and puppy farms. In: Hunnicutt, Gwen, Mentor, Kenneth and Twine, Richard, (eds.) Violence and Harm in the Animal Industrial Complex: Human-Animal Entanglements. Routledge - Taylor and Francis Group. (In Press)

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Abstract

Adopting an eco-feminist and green criminology perspective, this chapter will outline the limitations of existing welfare approaches to addressing reproductive violence and reproductive coercion against nonhuman animals across factory and puppy farming. Reproductive violence refers to violence that is directed against an individual due to their reproductive capabilities (Grey, 2017). Reproductive coercion includes pressure to become pregnant and threatening to continue or terminate a pregnancy without consent (Miller & Silverman, 2010). Recent scholarship has demonstrated how nonhuman animals are also victims of reproductive violence and coercion during routine animal husbandry practices. This work highlights the sexual exploitation as well as the physical and mental trauma female farm animals experience within the animal-industrial complex (Kelty-Huber, 2015). The acts identified include rape, forced pregnancy, and sexual slavery (Adams, 2015 Banwell, 2023; Cusack, 2013; Gillespie, 2014). Likewise, within puppy farming, breeding dogs are treated as objects whose sole purpose is to produce commodities (puppies). Not only does this involve a loss of reproductive rights and the commodification of mothers and offspring, but the breeding typically takes place within a context of a general lack of care that produces physical and behavioural harms for both parties. We will demonstrate how, in both examples, the commoditised bodies of nonhuman animals - those capable of becoming pregnant and those capable of procreation through semen production - are exploited for the benefit of humans. Drawing on empirical research, the chapter provides a critical review of existing rights-based approaches to addressing the property status of nonhuman animals. We ask what, if any, reforms might be possible following the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022? As sentient beings, we believe nonhuman animals should be afforded bodily liberty and bodily integrity. We hope that the examples reviewed strengthen Flynn and Hall’s (2017) proposal for a victimology of nonhuman animals.

Item Type:	Book Section
Uncontrolled Keywords:	factory and puppy farms; crimes against sentient beings; nonhuman animals
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) J Political Science > J General legislative and executive papers K Law > K Law (General)
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences > School of Law & Criminology (LAC)
Last Modified:	19 Jan 2024 11:46
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/45367

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