Empathy and compassion are benevolent human qualities and rational responses to tragedy.
With AVRT I learned how to achieve separation between the desire for alcohol (the Beast) and my higher, truer and more rational self. The AV( the bark of the Beast ) suggests witnessing the pain of others is painful for ourselves and relief is warranted. But the desire itself is what is being put forward and demanding to be indulged , the feelings are just a convenient way for the AV to propose more alcohol consumption. (If IT weren't the desire for alcohol, why propose alcohol as a remedy? )
Zeroing and pin pointing the desire and ITs AV can turn the idea or notion of relieve from witnessing malevolent acts, into what from ITs perpsective is ITs goal, "look at that tragedy, lets got drunk, well not drunk right away , just a little booze, it will make you feel better"
IT is without remorse , empathy or compassion, IT just wants more of ITs precious stuff and the murder of children can be as good of a reason as 'celebrating' a team championship. The goal is always more precious stuff and IT is not above using your better qualities against you , don't let IT turn you into something you certainly are not or don't want to be.