Question

When questioned about bruises, a woman states, "It was an accident. My husband just had a bad day at work. He's being so gentle now and even brought me flowers. He's going to get a new job, so it won't happen again." This client is in which phase of the cycle of battering? A. Phase I: The tension-building phase B. Phase II: The acute battering incident phase C. Phase III: The honeymoon phase D. Phase IV: The resolution and reorganization phase

Answer 1

The client is in Phase III: The honeymoon phase.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the given scenario, the woman's response reflects characteristics associated with Phase III of the cycle of battering, commonly known as the honeymoon phase. This phase is characterized by the abuser's efforts to reconcile and manipulate the victim into believing that the abuse was an isolated incident.

The woman's statement, mentioning her husband's apparent change in behavior, gentleness, and the gesture of bringing flowers, aligns with the typical tactics employed during this phase. The abuser often presents a remorseful and loving demeanor, making promises of change and improvement to diffuse the tension created by the previous acute battering incident (Phase II). This deceptive period is crucial for the abuser to maintain control and keep the victim in the relationship.

Recognizing these cyclical patterns is vital for professionals in the field of domestic violence intervention to provide appropriate assistance and support to victims. It emphasizes the importance of a nuanced understanding of the dynamics involved in abusive relationships to break the cycle and ensure the safety and well-being of survivors.

Answer 2

The woman described is in Phase III of the cycle of battering, known as the honeymoon phase. This stage follows an episode of violence and is marked by the perpetrator's remorseful behavior, including kindness and promises for change. It is part of a larger cycle of IPV that often goes unreported and can repeat itself without intervention.

Step-by-step explanation:

The woman described in the scenario appears to be in Phase III of the cycle of battering, known as the honeymoon phase. In this phase, following an instance of acute violence, the perpetrator may express remorse, provide affection, and make promises for change, such as finding a new job to prevent future stress-related outbursts as mentioned by the husband bringing flowers and being gentle.

This phase is characterized by apologies, kindness, and often gifts, which can lead to a temporary sense of calm and hope for the victim that the violence will not recur.

It is important to note that intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant social issue, and often starts as emotional abuse before escalating to physical and other forms of violence.

Victims typically experience a pattern of abuse for some time before coming forward and abuse is mostly underreported. The battering cycle usually follows a pattern consisting of the tension-building phase, the acute battering incident, and the honeymoon phase, which may repeat itself unless intervention occurs.