Animal abuse may be the tell tale sign of domestic violence and child abuse, a visiting US psychologist said recently.

Utah State University researcher Frank Ascione will present findings at the Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research at Central Queensland University Mackay on July 27.

New CQU academic Nicola Taylor, who is also researching the links between violence and empathy to animals, will also attend the Mackay presentation.

The centre’s director Heather Nancarrow said Professor Ascione’s research explores the link between animal abuse as a predictor or indicator of abuse.

“His work examines the retrospective and prospective links between cruelty to animals, child abuse and domestic violence, particularly regarding the potential that humane education has to prevent violence through early intervention,” she said.

“More recently Professor Ascione has focussed this attention on child and adolescent animal abuse.

“This research examines the common roots of violence toward people and animals and is directed at identifying an early indicators of at-risk in children.

“Professor Ascione’s research shows that children who were abused were more likely to mistreat animals and this may be the result of ‘acting out’ the abuse they had experienced.”.

In 2001, the US Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention published Professor Ascione’s review of animal abuse and youth violence as a research bulletin.

Professor Ascione has co-edited two books: Cruelty to Animals and Interpersonal Violence: Readings in Research and Application” and “Child Abuse, Domestic Violence and Animal Abuse: Linking the Circles of Compassion for Prevention and Intervention”.

The statewide presentation will be broadcast via video-conferencing links from CQU Mackay in building 20/G.11 from 11am to 1pm on July 27.