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Animal Sexual Abuse (ASA)

Animal sexual abuse (ASA) involves any form of sexual contact between a human and an animal, and it’s far more harmful – and more common – than many people realise.

What is ASA?

ASA is sometimes referred to as bestiality, zoophilia, zoosadism, or animal sexual assault, but professionals now prefer the term animal sexual abuse because it focuses on the harm caused to animals, not just the behaviour of the perpetrator.

At Safeline, we are raising awareness about ASA because of its deep links to other forms of sexual violence and abuse. This includes abuse of children and adults, particularly within households where power, secrecy, and control go unchecked.

What Counts as Animal Sexual Abuse?

Touching or fondling an animal’s genitals for sexual pleasure.

Forcing oral, vaginal, or anal contact between a human and an animal.

Penetration with a penis or object.

Masturbation involving animals.

Filming or sharing sexual acts with animals.

Zoosadism - the torture or killing of animals for sexual arousal.

ASA, like rape, is often about domination and violence, not just sexual desire.

Animals cannot consent and cannot report abuse. Like child sexual abuse, ASA involves the use of a vulnerable being for someone else’s gratification.

What Does Animal Sexual Abuse Do to the Animal?

The harm to animals is serious and often fatal. Injuries include:

Damage to the anus, genitals, rectum, or throat.
Internal injuries from penetration.
Strangulation, bruises, or burns.
Drugging or stunning to prevent resistance (in “crush videos”).

Veterinarians trained in forensic examination can identify signs of ASA through:

Swabbing for human DNA.
Using special lights to find bodily fluids.
Performing a necropsy (animal autopsy) to document abuse.

Is Animal Sexual Abuse Illegal?

The laws vary around the world—and even within countries.

In the UK, ASA is illegal and can carry a 2-year prison sentence.
In the US, 36 states have laws criminalising ASA, though enforcement is inconsistent.
Some offenders are charged under animal cruelty laws instead of specific bestiality statutes.
In some countries, such as Finland and Romania, bestiality is still not illegal.

Many cases don’t go to trial, or the charges are watered down, making it hard to track how often ASA really happens.

Who Commits Animal Sexual Abuse?

ASA is not limited to one “type” of person. Offenders can be:

Men, women, or young people.
People from all socioeconomic backgrounds.
Individuals acting alone or within groups, sometimes producing animal pornography.

Some may abuse animals out of opportunity, while others do so deliberately for gratification. One particularly disturbing form is zoosadism, where an animal is tortured or killed during the act.

Many animal sexual abusers:

May have a history of being abused themselves, especially as children.
Also commit abuse against people.
May be violent offenders or convicted sex offenders.
Are often skilled at hiding their crimes due to shame and the legal grey areas.

Online Communities and “Zoophilia”

Some self-described zoophiles argue they have loving or mutual sexual relationships with animals. But the reality is clear: animals cannot consent, and sexual acts with them are always exploitative and abusive.

Online, some zoophiles share advice, content, and even techniques for avoiding detection. Some individuals are forced into ASA by partners (called “zoophiles by proxy”), and others are involved in animal porn production or “crush” videos—where animals are filmed being mutilated for sexual pleasure.