New Beginnings A Women's Crisis Center

Domestic Violence is a pattern of behavior that one person uses to establish power and control over another person. A batterer uses fear and intimidation to control his/hir/her partner. Domestic Violence often includes, but is not limited to, the threat or use of physical violence. The violence may take many other forms--verbal abuse, emotional abuse, economic control, etc. Domestic Violence happens when one person believes they are entitled to control another.

The Power and Control Wheel below demonstrates various ways a batterer may try to control a victim.

The Cycle of Violence

Many Victims experience domestic violence in 3 stages:

The tension building stage is characterized by poor communication, stress in the relationship, and fear of an outburst. In the explosive stage there is an outburst of violence or an abusive incident. Finally, the honeymoon stage is characterized by affection, apology, and what seems to be the end of violence.

However, the honeymoon stage is rarely the end of violence. Inevitably the cycle continues making it difficult for the victim to end the relationship.