ABSTRACT
This chapter provides arguments for taking animal sexual assault (ASA) seriously. After considering the current legal and philosophical standing of animals (including welfarist and rights-based approaches), the chapter argues that ASA merits consideration by green criminologists for three main reasons. (1) From a philosophical point of view, animals are sentient beings and should be recognised as victims accordingly; in recognising their victim status, we must consider the power-relations between humans and animals. (2) From a legal and criminal justice system perspective, some acts of ASA are considered a crime and should be treated as such; more attention and resources are required to enable detection, enforcement, prosecution, sentencing and treatment, and we must consider those sexual acts not (yet) criminalised and examine why they are not. (3) From a research and academic perspective, ASA is worthy of consideration by critical criminologists interested in challenging discrimination, oppression and broader notions of harm. The authors consider the prevalence of ASA, the impact of ASA on animal victims, and the impact of ASA on human victims and offenders, and they put forth the argument that it indefensible that criminologists have almost completely abandoned the study of animal victims.
