THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE

Domestic violence tends to occur in a three-phase cycle:

Phase 1: Tension Building Phase

Phase 2: Explosion Phase

Phase 3: Honeymoon Phase

Phase 1: Tension Building Phase

During the tension building phase, minor violent incidents may occur; however, much of the abuse will be verbal and emotional. The daily pressures and stresses of living contribute to an already volatile situation. The abuse may be unpredictable and the victim may attempt to placate the batterer in an effort to prevent the explosion. S/he may take responsibility for the violence because of a belief that s/he could have prevented it had s/he done something different.

Phase 2: Explosion Phase

When these tensions become overwhelming, an explosion occurs. The violence may escalate into life threatening attacks, verbal abuse increases and there may be threats to kill the victim or loved ones. Although increases occur in all three phases, this period of time is the most lethal. Often victims will precipitate the explosion, knowing that once it is over the batterer will be remorseful, apologize and shower the victim with love and attention.

Phase 3: Honeymoon Phase

During the “honeymoon” phase, the batterer will attempt to make amends, promise to change and actually appear to change for the better. The victim wants to believe the batterer will change and that s/he will not hurt her/him again, although without counseling and other intervention the abuse will continue.

The amount of time between phases varies. Some batterers explode on a daily basis, others may go years in between violent incidents, while the tension continues to build and problems fester.  After a time, the victim may begin to see a pattern in the violence and may arrange her/his life and schedules to fit each phase of the cycle. The victim may be able to almost predict when the batterer will explode, and how often.

As the cycle continues the intensity and lethality of the explosion phase increases while the honeymoon phase shortens until it is virtually non-existent.

Refer to the “Cycle of Violence” diagram for further information.

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