North County Women's Shelter & Resource Center

P.O. Box 2155 * 7360 El Camino Real, #3  Atascadero, CA 93423

Phone (805) 461-1338 * Fax (805) 461-8115

After Hours Hotline: (805) 549-8989 or 1-800-549-8989

*We Can Help 24 Hours/Day - 7 Days/Week*

 

[ Home ] [ Up ] [ Battering Relationship ] [ Suggestions ] [ Why Doesn't She Leave? ] [ Characteristics ] [ Red Flags ] [ Cycle of Violence ]

The Cycle of Violence

Adapted from Lenore Walker's "Cycle Theory of Violence"

 

Phase I – “Tension Builds”

¨       Stress

¨       Minor incidents of battering

¨       Battered partner tries to cope; stays out of batter’s way

¨       Tries to avoid violence by “correct “ behavior

¨       Battered partner denies future in order to cope

¨       Phase lasts a long time

Phase II – “Explosion”

¨       Acute battering incident

¨       Lack of predictability

¨       Lack of control

¨       Phase may last 24 hours to 1 week

¨       Battered partner may call police, flee to shelter or other safe place

¨       Shock and denial

Phase III – “Honeymoon”

¨       Batterer is loving, kind, contrite, apologetic

¨       Batterer may shower battered partner with gifts

¨       Denial of violence

¨       Batterer promises to change

   

[ Home ] [ Up ] [ Battering Relationship ] [ Suggestions ] [ Why Doesn't She Leave? ] [ Characteristics ] [ Red Flags ] [ Cycle of Violence ]

 

 
 

 

 

This Web Page was designed by

California Polytechnic State University
Winter Quarter 2002