The circle of violence by Leonor Walker

Leonor Walker’s circle of violence is a theory that contemplates the existence of four phases in all dynamics of gender violence.. This researcher and psychologist has been working on this type of violence for more than forty years. Her idea is that it is a violence that can be dismantled and she combines her professional occupation with the work of accompanying women who have been mistreated and struggle to defend themselves before justice.

According to this expert, Victims do not report their abuser openly for fear of retaliation or worsening the situation they are experiencing., especially in the case of being financially dependent on your attacker. Walter has contributed to the psychology of gender violence a very useful instrument to understand the suffering of abused women and the difficult path they go through to definitively break with their abuser.

In 1979 she published the conclusions of her phase theory drawn from the testimonies of abused women with whom she worked. Walter realized that these women are not attacked all the time or in the same way, But there are phases of violence that have a varied duration and different manifestations.

He established a similar pattern of behavior in all situations of abuse and observed how these patterns of behavior are reproduced cyclically.. Thus, the circle of violence described by Walker helps us understand how gender violence occurs.

Recent research helps explain that the impossibility of getting out of the cycle of violence aggravates the consequences and paves the way for a fatal outcome. Gender violence involves the loss of the supports that make up the personality of the human being, which are the biological, psychological and social conditions..

The circle of violence: phases of abuse

This is what has been called L. Walker’s cycle of violence, one of the most widespread theories about the phases that gender violence goes through.

Tension accumulation phase

In this phase There is a gradual escalation of tension that is characterized by the frequency of continuous struggles and violent acts. It is a stage with no specific duration, it can be a matter of weeks, months or years. There are incidents of jealousy, shouting or small fights.

Insults or verbal violence are interpreted by the victim as isolated cases that can be controlled. The abuser experiences sudden mood swings, becomes angry over insignificant things, and appears tense and irritated..

The victim Try to carry out behaviors that do not upset the couple, try to calm them down, believing that this will end the conflicts. She tends to blame herself, justifying the behavior shown by the aggressor. Every time an incident of minor aggression occurs there are residual effects of increased tension on the part of the aggressor who, incited by the apparent passivity of the victim, does not try to control himself.

Aggression phase

It is the shortest of the three phases. Here violence breaks out. There is a lack of absolute control and physical, psychological and/or sexual attacks occur.. The victim experiences disbelief, anxiety, tends to isolate themselves and feels powerless over what has happened. It usually takes several days before asking for help.

Conciliation phase

In this phase, the aggressor usually asks for forgiveness and promises the victim that this behavior will not be repeated. Use emotional manipulation strategies to try to keep the relationship from ending.

Accepting gifts, invitations or promises only reinforces violent behavior.. The tension accumulated during the tension build-up phase and the aggression phase have disappeared.

In this phase, it is difficult for the woman to report the situation she is going through: the change in the couple’s attitude leads her to think that it was a one-off event and that it will not happen again. The victim wants to believe that they will never be abused again. The aggressor’s restraint supports the belief that he can change, due to his loving behavior during this phase. This conciliation phase ends when the calm ends and the small incidents and humiliations begin again.

How to break the cycle of violence?

To break the cycle of violence it is necessary for the victim to be aware of their situation. From this recognition you can begin to receive emotional and professional help.

In recent years, visibility has been given to a problem that has turned out to be much more serious and profound than previously believed. Society has reacted with legislative measures such as the “Comprehensive Gender Violence Law” and the “Equality Law”, but we are far from the objectives and concern is growing over the appearance of signs of regression in social perception.

You might be interested…