Beyond Meat? Taking Violence Against Non-human Animals Seriously as a Form of Social Harm

This chapter offers an overview of non-speciesist approaches to harm, arguing that violence against non-human animals constitutes a form of social harm. Non-human animals are part of the social world, and violence against non-human animals is socially harmful in its individual and institutional forms, to human and non-human animals alike, and to the environment. Central to this is an acknowledgement of the interconnectedness of capitalism, violence and other forms of oppression, such as patriarchy and colonialism. To conclude, the chapter identifies potential positive actions that can be taken to address this violence, for example, including green criminology and critical animal studies in the curriculum, lending practical support to environmental and vegan causes.