Battering relationships are characterized by cyclical phases, sometimes referred to as The Cycle of Violence. A period of peace and calm is followed by escalating tension. A woman might feel as though she were walking on eggshells. Minor incidents may occur that the woman tries to minimize or deny, sometimes by taking the blame.

   When the tension reaches a breaking point,a battering occurs. The victim, statistically and typically the woman, may be kicked, thrown against a wall, raped, threatened at gun or knife point, slapped, punched or subjected to any of the endless mental and physical abuses that batterers use to intimidate and control their partners.

   Following the battering incident, the batterer is often remorseful and very loving. This is called the "honeymoon" phase. Because of the closeness the couple experiences during this phase and the promises the batterer makes, often the woman foregoes any plans to leave. She convinces herself that it will never happen again. Then the cycle repeats itself.