Cycle of Violence. Based on her interviews with over 400 abused women, feminist scholar Xxxxxx Xxxxxx (1979) first employed the term ‘cycle of violence’ to explain the three- phase cyclical nature of incidents of domestic violence: (1) the tension-building stage; (2) the acute battering incident, and (3) loving-contrition (Xxxxxx, 1979). The cycle usually develops following an initial courtship period, where the abuser is seen to be highly charming, attentive and loving; adopting behaviours that act to bond the woman to the relationship. This is followed by the tension-building stage, a gradual escalation of internal pressure and tension in the abuser, leading them to become increasingly hostile and to act out in ways that cause friction within the relationship (e.g. expressing dissatisfaction, name-calling). As the internal pressure increases, the abuser experiences an “uncontrollable discharge of tensions” (Xxxxxx, 1979, p 59) that results in the acute battering incident, characterised by eruptions of physical violence or verbal assaults; it is during this phase that the survivor is most at risk of harm. Once the aggression has been vented it is replaced by loving-contrition, whereby the abuser makes pleas for forgiveness, shows remorse and displays kindness and loving affection. Often abusers profess that they will not act violently again and the woman, who is delighted at the restoration of affection, invariably forgives the abuser and places hope in their ability to change; until the cycle is activated again (Xxxxxx, 1979). Other research with abused women lends support to this three-stage cycle of violence (Xxxxx & Xxxxxxxxx, 1996; Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx, 2010; Xxxxxxxxx, 2008), which also manifests in post-separation stalking behaviours (Xxxx & Xxxxxxxx, 2008; Xxxxxxx, 1997). Xxxxxx adopted the term ‘learned helplessness’ to explain the sequelae of the repetitive cycle of violence and why abused women find it difficult to terminate an abusive relationship (Xxxxxx, 1979). The theory of ‘learned helplessness’ was first developed by the psychologist Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx (1975) to explain why people exposed to uncontrollable aversive events - who learn that their responses and outcomes are independent of each other - develop an expectation that future events will also be uncontrollable. As a result of this learning people frequently display decreased motivation, negative affect and develop coping deficits for future aversive but escapable situations (Xxxxxxxx, 1975). Xxxxxx adapte...
Cycle of Violence. 2 You have a very important role to play in supporting survivors of violence in your community. It is very possible that being screened for GBV at an NGO may be the first time the survivor has been able to speak freely in a private setting with someone who is not directly linked to his/her abuser. Conducting GBV screening routinely and universally with clients coming for HIV counseling and testing (HCT) services and with people living with HIV (PLHIV) coming for care and support services will help to identify survivors and give you the opportunity to offer appropriate referrals to health, protection, and psychosocial services. Moreover, screening can help all organizations involved in support and protection to better understand the types, frequency, and severity of GBV being experienced by women, MSM, TG individuals, PLHIV, and others.
