Cycle of Violence Against Women.

Cycle of Violence Against Women.

Cycle of Violence Against Women.

Domestic abuse falls into a common pattern or cycle of violence:

Cycle of Violence/Abuse against Women

Domestic abuse falls into a common pattern, or cycle of violence:

Abuse – Your abusive partner lashes out with aggressive, belittling, or violent behaviour. Abuse is a power play designed to show you who the  boss is.

Guilt – After abusing you, your partner feels guilt, but not over what he has done. He’s more worried about the possibility of being caught and facing consequences for his abusive behaviour.

Excuses – Your abuser rationalizes what he has done. The person may come up with a string of excuses or blame you for the abusive behaviour – anything to avoid taking responsibility.

“Normal” behaviour – The abuser does everything he can to regain control and keep the victim in the relationship. He may act as if nothing had happened, or he may turn on the charm. This peaceful honeymoon phase may give the victim hope that the abuser has really changed this time.

Fantasy and planning – Your abuser begins to fantasize about abusing you again. He spends a lot of time thinking about what you’ve done wrong and how he’ll make you pay. Then he makes a plan for turning the fantasy of abuse into reality.

Set-up – Your abuser sets you up and puts his plan in motion, creating a situation where he can justify abusing you.

Your abuser’s apologies and loving gestures between episodes of abuse can make it difficult to leave. He may make you believe that you are the only person who can help him, that things will be different this time, and that he truly loves you. However, the dangers of staying are very real.