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Tested On Animals The Issues  Breaking the cycle of Abuse  Teaching kids to be kind  How you can help   The Issues Research has shown that people who are violent towards humans often start out by being violent to animals.   Many serious violent offenders, including some of our worst serial killers, have a history of abusing animals and children. For example, as a small boy, Martin Bryant tortured animals.  As a 28 year old, he murdered 35 people at Port Arthur in Tasmania.   Far more common than serial killings, but just as serious, is domestic violence. The abuse is often not restricted to women and children in the family. According to a recent study by the American Humane Society, 88 per cent of pets living in households with domestic abuse are either abused or killed.   In Queensland, domestic violence counsellors regularly speak to women whose pets are beaten or tortured by abusive partners in order to frighten them and control them into staying in violent relationships. In addition, RSPCA Qld Inspectors often report suspected domestic and child abuse while investigating claims of animal cruelty and neglect.   Unfortunately, domestic violence refuges are unable to provide shelter to animals, and, as a result, women and children often delay or do not seek safe shelter for themselves due to a lack of options to provide appropriate care for their pets.