What are the phases of the Cycle of Violence?

• A. Denial is in the center.
• B. Escalation, Resolution, Stability.
• C. Calm, Trigger, Recovery.
• D. 1) Tension 2) Explosion 3) Honeymoon

Answer: (D)

The Cycle of Violence is a repeating pattern in abusive relationships that follows three phases in order: tension-building, the abusive incident or explosion, and then a honeymoon period where the abuser apologizes, makes promises, or tries to reconcile. This sequence tends to loop, drawing the victim back into the relationship and making escape harder. The option that lists Tension, Explosion, Honeymoon aligns with this well-established sequence and captures both the progression and the cyclical nature.

The other choices don’t fit as neatly. Denial isn’t described as a formal phase in this model. Escalation, Resolution, Stability implies moving toward a final, stable state rather than a repeating cycle. Calm, Trigger, Recovery uses terms that don’t correspond to the standard phases and don’t reflect the repeating pattern of abuse.