The Four Stages of an Abusive Relationship

The four stages of an abusive relationship are also referred to as the cycle of abuse, which is a social cycle theory that Lenore Walker developed in the 1970s to explain patterns of behavior in abusive relationships 1. Walker’s theory is based on the idea that once abusive relationships are created, repetitive patterns characterize them. This cycle of abuse concept is widely used in the treatment options of American domestic violence programs.

Tension-Building Stage

Tension builds just before an overtly abusive act occurs. This stage includes passive-aggressive behavior on the part of the abuser, poor communication and palpably escalating strain between two people. The victim often strongly fears angering her partner. Therefore, in this stage, victims often try to change their behavior to prevent triggering their partners’ tendencies toward violence and abuse.

Incident of Abuse Stage

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The most overtly abusive stage of an abusive relationship includes the incident itself. The incident of abuse stage, as its name suggests, involves an abuser trying to dominate his partner (the victim) through acts of domestic violence, such as:

• kicking
  
• hitting
  
• shoving
  
• biting
  
• throwing objects

Incidents of abuse also include

• sexual abuse
  
• emotional abuse
  
• stalking
  
• neglect
  
• economic deprivation
  
• intimidation
  
• other extremely controlling behaviors

Reconciliation Stage

In the reconciliation stage, the abuser apologizes for harming his victim, is overly affectionate and caring, or chooses to ignore the incidents of abuse or blame them on the victim in some way. These events are often classified as the honeymoon phase. In this stage, the abuser will make it seem as though the violence is finished, assuring the victim that such incidents will never occur again or that the abuser will change. The abuser often feels overwhelming emotions of sadness and remorse, or at least he pretends to. Some abusers even threaten suicide to prevent the victim from leaving. Most abusers shower victims with love, purchasing them expensive gifts and treating them with extra kindness.

Calm Stage

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The calm stage is thought to be an extension of the reconciliation stage. During the calm stage, the abuser tries really hard to be kind to the victim and does his best to restrain himself from harming this person. The abusive relationship becomes relatively peaceful and calm during this phase, which often convinces the victim that the abuser has indeed changed. Conflicts inevitably arise, however, which lead again into the tension-building stage of the relationship.