The Cycle of Abuse

Stage 1: Tension building - Victim feels fear and tries to placate the abuser - Communication breaks down - Tension in the household increases - Victim tries to avoid violent confrontations

Stage 2: Incident of Violence - Emotional and verbal abuse - Physical violence - Threats and intimidation - Anger - Blame and arguments - Abuser dominates and controls victim

Stage 3: Reconciliation The abuser... - Apologizes - Denies incident happened - Blames the victim - Makes excuses - Says it wasn't as bad as victim thinks it is

Stage 4: Calm (Honeymoon) - “It will never happen again.” - Apparent end of violence - Incident is forgotten - Gifts, love and affection showered on the victim - Threats of self-harm if victim leaves relationship

Stage 1: Tension building - Victim feels fear and tries to placate the abuser - Communication breaks down - Tension in the household increases - Victim tries to avoid violent confrontations

Reference Websites - http://www.heart-2-heart.ca/women/page5.html - http://students.usask.ca/wellness/info/mental health/emotionalabuse/cycle/ - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycle_of_abuse