Cycle of Abuse

The cycle of domestic violence shows how domestic violence often becomes a pattern made up of three stages:

First Phase

• Tension-Building
• Criticism, yelling, swearing, using angry gestures, coercion, threats

Second Phase

• Violence
• Physical and sexual attacks and threats

Third Phase

• Seduction also known as the Honeymoon
• Shows remorse, apologies, blaming, promises to change, gifts

This cycle helps explain how three dynamics, love, hope and fear, keep the cycle in motion and make it hard to end a violent relationship.

Creator: Dr. Lenore Walker's Cycle of Violence

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