Actor James Cromwell Urges Everyone to Stop Violence Before It Begins

James Cromwell of American Horror Story: Asylum is urging everyone to stop the cycle of violence before it begins, starting with animals. The world’s most notorious serial killers typically began their violent sprees as young people, and their victims have often been the most vulnerable among us: animals. Give a voice to those who can’t speak for themselves and speak up when you witness or suspect cases of animal abuse.

This season on FX Network’s most acclaimed series, Cromwell plays Dr. Arden, a man who works at a notorious insane asylum. His character is sick and twisted, with a knack for carrying out his dark fantasies on patients residing at the asylum. He gets pleasure out of torturing patients with barbaric “treatments,” such as electroshock therapy, while disregarding their feelings of fear and pain. No one in the asylum is safe from his demented mind and unthinkable violence toward the ill patients he is supposed to treat. He preys on the weak, those who can’t speak up or defend themselves from his madness.

While Dr. Arden is a sinister character, the man who plays him couldn’t be more different. James Cromwell knows all too well that in real life, cruelty to animals is often a precursor to a life of violence aimed at other animals and people. Research in psychology and criminology shows that people who commit acts of cruelty to animals don’t stop there—many of them move on to their fellow humans. James encourages us to speak to the children and young people in our lives about the importance of respecting and being kind to animals. It is crucial for kids to understand that just as it would be wrong to hurt another human being, it is wrong to hurt animals. Although not all of those who deliberately hurt an animal end up committing violent crimes, many of them end up with a disregard for life and a lack of empathy toward fellow human beings and animals alike.

If you suspect or witness a case of animal abuse, document and report it immediately. A life may depend on it.

Join James Cromwell in stopping the cycle of violence and share this lifesaving message on Facebook now.