At a time when an RSPCA TV campaign is linking harm of animals to domestic violence in a generic way, researchers are seeking to understand specifics about the relationship between empathy to animals and empathy to humans.

The CQU researchers are checking the needs of women who fear leaving violent relationships in case their pets are harmed.

They are also seeing if the 'empathy-to-animals' levels of animal protection advocates can shed light on how to boost empathy levels among those with problematic or violent behaviours.

Dr Nicola Taylor (pictured left) and Dr Tania Signal (pictured right), of Central Queensland University, have this week sent out a ‘snowball’ email survey to members of the animal protection community, checking clues to their empathy levels.

“One of the potential ways to address people with violent behaviour is through humane education, which has been shown to increase empathy levels and has the added benefit of informing people about animal welfare issues,” Dr Taylor said.

Dr Taylor and Dr Signal have also sent out a survey to Domestic Violence Centres to check likely service needs of women with pets who may need to flee an abusive relationship.

The survey is titled ‘Making Links, Building Bridges: Investigating the Needs of Australians in Violent Relationships who have Companion Animals’.