Social Disorganization in Slaughterhouse Communities

• In Event: 276 - Section on Animals and Society Paper Session. Inequality and Animals

Abstract

Scholars in animal studies and criminology have argued that more attention should be paid to the violence that is sanctioned by society, the violence of animal slaughter for industrial food production. The work of killing animals has many consequences for individuals working in these conditions. Slaughterhouses are ideal sites for investigating how violence perpetrated against animals might affect those who perpetrate these acts. The communities surrounding these facilities also present ideal sites for investigating the determinants of social disorganization in rural areas. Previous research has documented the negative effect of population change in rural communities and recent research on slaughterhouse communities has established a correlation between slaughterhouse employment and violent crime. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between the presence of a slaughterhouse in the community and violent crime rates. This study examines data from the Uniform Crime Reports database for the year 2000 in 248 nonmetropolitan counties located in Nebraska, Kansas and Iowa. Findings indicate that the location of a slaughterhouse in a county is associated with increases in the total arrest rate, arrests for rape, and arrests for offenses against the family in comparison to counties without a slaughterhouse. These findings point to a relationship between the violence of killing animals and violence towards humans. This study aims to add to previous research and contribute to the discussion of whether or not the effect of violence against “the Other” helps us to understand elements of social disorganization in rural communities.

Author

• Jessica Racine Jacques, University of Central Florida