The Hidden Links Between Animal Abuse and Coercive Control: A Deep Dive with Maya Badham

In the latest gripping episode of The Cult Vault Podcast, host Kacey welcomes Maya Badham, founder of Safeguarding Animal & Human Survivors of Sexual and Domestic Abuse (SAHSDA), for a powerful and eye-opening discussion on the intersection of animal cruelty and coercive control within domestic abuse dynamics. Maya’s expertise in both animal welfare and human rights advocacy offers a fresh, crucial perspective on how deeply interconnected these forms of violence truly are.

Maya’s Story

Maya shares her unique journey, starting with a childhood ambition to become a vet. However, her path took a different yet equally vital turn—toward prevention work and ultimately founding SAHSDA, an organization dedicated to addressing the overlap between human and animal abuse. As Maya puts it, "I always knew I wanted to work in prevention," and her passion for both fields has positioned her to shine a light on an often overlooked but critical aspect of domestic violence.

Animals as Silent Victims—and Powerful Indicators

Throughout the conversation, Maya and Kacey explore the many ways animals become tools of manipulation and control. Perpetrators frequently use pets as emotional leverage, creating economic and emotional ties that entrap victims even further. This can involve direct cruelty, threats, neglect—such as denying vet visits—or even using the "gift" of an animal to forge a controlling bond.

Maya highlights that animal cruelty is not just physical violence; emotional manipulation and threats against animals can inflict deep psychological wounds on both the animals and the humans who love them. As she stresses, "Fear is a very effective tactic," and fear directed at the wellbeing of a beloved pet can be an especially potent weapon in a perpetrator’s arsenal.

Culture, Language, and the Normalization of Abuse

Another critical thread in the conversation is how cultural beliefs and language shape our perceptions of animals and abuse. Maya discusses how, in some cultures, practices like animal sacrifice have spiritual significance, complicating efforts to universally define and address animal cruelty. Moreover, the everyday language we use—referring to animals as "it" or devaluing their lives—feeds into the mentality that enables abuse, both toward animals and humans.

This holistic view echoes themes explored in other episodes of The Cult Vault, particularly those tackling the broader impacts of coercive control, such as in interviews with survivors of authoritarian cults and high-control groups.

The Need for Systemic Change

Maya’s call to action is clear: we must move out of the silos separating human and animal welfare work. Laws protecting domestic abuse survivors need to explicitly include their pets. There's an urgent need for more pet-friendly housing options so survivors aren’t forced to choose between their safety and the safety of their animals.

The data gaps are also staggering. "We just don't know the sheer scale of it," Maya admits, emphasizing how little is currently tracked about animal deaths in domestic abuse cases. By expanding data collection and improving legal protections, we can better address this devastating and intertwined form of violence.

Trauma Responses: Human and Animal Parallels

Maya also delves into the biology of trauma, explaining the five trauma responses—fight, flight, freeze, flop, and friend—and how these manifest in both humans and animals. Observing animal behavior, such as sudden aggression or reactivity, can offer vital clues to underlying abuse, an insight that professionals across fields must recognize.

Her reflections align closely with discussions in other Cult Vault episodes that examine the psychological effects of coercion and trauma within cult settings and high-control environments.

Looking Ahead: Maya at CrimeCon UK 2025

If you found Maya’s insights compelling, there's an exciting opportunity to hear more: both Maya Badham and host Kacey will be speaking on a panel at CrimeCon UK on June 7th and 8th. They’ll be joined by other experts to discuss Coercive Control and how predators use the same tactics on their victims. It's an unmissable event for anyone passionate about true crime, systemic justice, and survivor advocacy.

Get your tickets HERE and use code "CULT" at the checkout for a 10% discount

The Hidden Links Between Animal Abuse and Coercive Control is one of the most profound and urgent episodes of The Cult Vault to date. If this conversation resonates with you, you might also find value in earlier episodes, such as the interviews with coercive control survivor Emma Sutcliffe and discussions around trauma-informed approaches to cult recovery.

Together, we can begin to widen the lens, recognizing that animals are victims in their own right—and that safeguarding them is an essential part of safeguarding each other.