CYCLE OF VIOLENCE INFORMATION SHEET Dr. Lenore Walker first identified the cycle of violence in her book The Battered Woman based on her research of women who had been in abusive relationships. Walker describes three phases of the battering cycle: the tension building phase, the acute battering incident and the honeymoon phase. Phase I: The tension Building During this phase, the tension between a couple builds and arguments erupt easily. This is when accusations are made, everyday occurrences become unbearable disturbances and tension in the environment increases. There may be violent verbal outbursts, strained silences or sulking. Many women describe this as "walking on eggshells". This phase may last only a day or two, or it could go on for several months or even years Phase II: The acute incident This is when the actual "fight" occurs. There may be slapping, pushing, hitting, biting, kicking, or shoving. There may be threats or the use of a weapon, sexual abuse, or even murder. Phase III: The honeymoon In this phase of the cycle, the abusive man makes many apologies and promises that the abuse will never happen again. There may be a honeymoon-like euphoria while the couple "makes up" with presents, flowers and romantic dinners out. The woman begins to hope that her partner or spouse is genuinely remorseful, and chooses to believe that the violence will not happen again. This phase slowly dissolves into the tension building phase, and the cycle repeats itself. The duration of each phase varies, and will change over time. The Honeymoon Phases generally become shorter, as the abuser begins to threaten even worse harm if the victim dares to leave. The Tension Building Phase quickly takes over the honeymoon time and often completely replaces it. As the abuse becomes more frequent and severe, the couple moves through the cycle more quickly. Most abusive relationships begin with verbal abuse, and then move into violence, which escalates and becomes more deadly the longer the couple is together. Many victims of abuse hang on to the belief that "the real person" will someday return for good. But they do not realize that the abuser is "the real person." #305-2502 St. Johns Street Port Moody, B.C, V3H 2B4 Phone: (604) 657-3260 Fax: (604) 931-3179 www.counsellingworks.ca Professional Counselling Services provided by Anita Bloy, M.A., RCC

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CYCLE OF VIOLENCE INFORMATION SHEET

Dr. Lenore Walker first identified the cycle of violence in her book The Battered Woman based on her research of women who had been in abusive relationships. Walker describes three phases of the battering cycle: the tension building phase, the acute battering incident and the honeymoon phase. Phase I: The tension Building During this phase, the tension between a couple builds and arguments erupt easily. This is when accusations are made, everyday occurrences become unbearable disturbances and tension in the environment increases. There may be violent verbal outbursts, strained silences or sulking. Many women describe this as "walking on eggshells". This phase may last only a day or two, or it could go on for several months or even years Phase II: The acute incident This is when the actual "fight" occurs. There may be slapping, pushing, hitting, biting, kicking, or shoving. There may be threats or the use of a weapon, sexual abuse, or even murder. Phase III: The honeymoon In this phase of the cycle, the abusive man makes many apologies and promises that the abuse will never happen again. There may be a honeymoon-like euphoria while the couple "makes up" with presents, flowers and romantic dinners out. The woman begins to hope that her partner or spouse is genuinely remorseful, and chooses to believe that the violence will not happen again.

This phase slowly dissolves into the tension building phase, and the cycle repeats itself. The duration of each phase varies, and will change over time. The Honeymoon Phases generally become shorter, as the abuser begins to threaten even worse harm if the victim dares to leave. The Tension Building Phase quickly takes over the honeymoon time and often completely replaces it. As the abuse becomes more frequent and severe, the couple moves through the cycle more quickly. Most abusive relationships begin with verbal abuse, and then move into violence, which escalates and becomes more deadly the longer the couple is together. Many victims of abuse hang on to the belief that "the real person" will someday return for good. But they do not realize that the abuser is "the real person."

#305-2502 St. Johns Street Port Moody, B.C,

V3H 2B4 Phone: (604) 657-3260 Fax: (604) 931-3179

www.counsellingworks.ca

Professional

Counselling Services

provided by

Anita Bloy, M.A., RCC