Maya Badham

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Maya Badham
Maya Badham

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Faculty of Life Sciences and Education,
University of South Wales

Lead supervisor:
Dr Jenny Maher

Other supervisor(s):

  • Prof Fiona Brookman
  • Prof Trevor Jones

Start date: October 2025 (Full time)

Award: General

Subject Pathway:
Criminology and Law

Thematic Cluster:
Rights and Governance Cluster

Investigating the psychological impact of Domestic Violence and Abuse on human and canine victim-survivors  

The human-canine bond has shaped the evolution of both humans and dogs. It can be characterised as a powerful connection built on trust, love, and companionship, which enhances the emotional well-being of humans and dogs alike. This bond is perhaps no clearer observed than in cases of domestic abuse, where the human-canine bond often serves as a reciprocal and critical protective factor against the mental health consequences the abuser subjects their victims to.
 
My research plans to explore how perpetrators of domestic abuse manipulate the human-canine bond in order to maintain power and control over families, and the resulting physical and psychological impacts on both human and canine victim-survivors. Much research has now been completed on the impact on adults and children who live in abusive households, but our most popular companion animal - the dog - has not been afforded the same attention, despite being described by many as intrinsic family members.

Research Impact

The research is the first to specifically examine the human-canine bond within the context of DVA. It will provide novel insights into how perpetrators use canines within their abuse and the impact the exploitation of the human-canine bond has on both human and canine victim-survivors. Importantly, it will examine whether the exclusion of the human-canine bond from a whole systems approach to preventing and addressing DVA, causes system generated risk and harm to both human and animal victim-survivor.

Research outputs would extend beyond academic contribution alone. The research seeks to contribute best-practice guidelines for professionals across sectors, aimed at enhancing the overall response to preventing and addressing domestic violence and abuse for both human and animal victim-survivors.