
Animal rights activists are demanding slaughterhouse closures in Australia, and they’ve added an extra factor to the mix to convince officials of the harm the businesses have on society.
Protesters often follow the line of being vegan for the animals, but the Animal Justice Party (AJP) in Victoria, Australia is highlighting the risk to human life that slaughterhouses may bring.
Protests
The AJP will hold a March to Close All Slaughterhouses in Melbourne next month in partnership with Aussie Farms.
And in the build-up, the group is highlighting research which found the presence of slaughterhouses leads to ‘increased rates of violent crime, including homicide, sexual assault, and child abuse’ nearby.
Vegan neuropsychologist Ash Nayate wrote in the Weekly Times: “Slaughterhouse workers are generally at higher risk of psychological distress, including depression, anxiety, substance abuse, trauma (e.g. nightmares about violence), paranoia, and dissociation.
“The work of (US) criminologist Professor Amy Fitzgerald has consistently found a connection between slaughterhouses and increased rates of violent crime, including homicide, sexual assault, and child abuse.”
Research
The 2009 case study by Fitzgerald documented numerous negative effects of slaughterhouses on workers and communities.
“Of the social problems observed in these communities, the increases in crime have been particularly dramatic,” the author wrote.
“The findings indicate that slaughterhouse employment increases total arrest rates, arrests for violent crimes, arrests for rape, and arrests for other sex offences in comparison with other industries.”
Activists argue that slaughterhouse workers become desensitised to violent crimes against animals as they spend their lives working in brutal conditions.
Dismissal
The Australian Meat Industry Council has dismissed the activists’ argument.
Chief executive Patrick Hutchinson said he was ‘not aware of any credible, local research that supports these claims’.
Victorian Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes has also said he plans to support workers across the meat supply chain ‘from paddock to plate’.
What do you think of this research into slaughterhouses? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Lifestyle
Vegan culture, food, beauty & more
Is Tobey Maguire vegan? Here’s what we know
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 17th August 2023
Tobey Maguire often speaks about veganism and animal issues. Tobey Maguire, the actor best known for playing Spider-Man in the Sam Raimi trilogy, is a vegan. He has been a vegetarian since 1992 and became a vegan in 2009. A lifelong commitment to animal rights Maguire’s decision to go vegan was motivated by his love …
Continue reading “Is Tobey Maguire vegan? Here’s what we know”
Plant-based food jobs surge with 32% growth in just 3 months
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 17th August 2023
The number of open jobs advertised in the plant-based industry increased by almost a third from April to July 2023, GlobalData reported. The plant-based food industry is booming, and this is reflected in the number of job openings in the sector. According to data from GlobalData, the number of open jobs advertised in the plant-based …
Continue reading “Plant-based food jobs surge with 32% growth in just 3 months”
VEGAN MEMES
NEED A LAUGH?
QUIZZES
All the quizzes you love to binge!
QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert
- Marlon Farrugia
- 10th January 2020
How much vegan knowledge do you have stored away? Do you have to Google your way through a shopping trip, or do you have all the bad E-numbers memorised? Find out now with this quiz. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …
Continue reading “QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert”
QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 13th October 2019
Spook Season approaches. There will be ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and glucose. You need a costume, and you want to it to show off your personality, which means VEGAN. But what to choose? Take our quiz to find out your perfect outfit. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a …
Continue reading “QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?”
QUIZ: What kind of vegetable are you?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 26th September 2019
“If you were a vegetable, what kind would you be?” A question that has tormented humanity throughout the ages – until now. Read: QUIZ: If you score 19/20 on THIS quiz, you’re a Vegan God Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …