The Cycle of Violence

Phase 1: Tension Building

• Batterer experiences increased tension
• Victim minimizes problems
• Batterer increases threats
• Victim withdraws
• Batterer controls more
• Tension becoming intolerable
• Victim feels like they are walking on eggshells
• Poor communication

Phase 2: Abusive Incident

• Batterer unpredictable; believes he is losing control
• Victim is helpless; feels trapped
• Batterer highly abusive, incident occurs
• Incidence of violence or threat occurs
• Victim traumatized
• Batterer blames victim

Phase 3: Honeymoon Period

• Batterer is loving, apologetic, and attentive
• Victim has mixed feelings
• Batterer is manipulative
• Victim feels guilty and responsible
• Batterer promises change
• Victim considers reconciliation
• Victim often recants/minimizes abuse

© All staff articles are used by permission of the respective author(s). Copyright belongs to the University Life Café. No part of this may be used without authorization.