FAQs

The first step is to understand the cycle of violence and that you can only control your own actions and choices. Support groups and counseling can be very helpful in gaining insight into your relationship and empowering you to make decisions about your safety, your right to be treated with respect, and your future.

There are many factors that may contribute to why abuse occurs. Mental health conditions, drug and alcohol abuse, or financial stress may be some of the contributing factors, but are not necessarily causes. Often patterns learned as children may play a role in why the abuse occurs. It is never the victim’s fault when the abuse occurs; the abuser is responsible for their behavior. We encourage you to keep the focus on what you can do to make the best decisions for your own health and safety. NEWS can help by discussing options and resources.

Domestic Violence here in Napa County is, unfortunately, very common and the effects are far-reaching. At NEWS, we see approximately 1,000 victims of domestic violence each year, and we know that many more people are living with abuse who have not made the decision to talk about it openly. Family violence is one of the most common calls to law enforcement (an average of two calls a day) and one of the most frequently prosecuted crimes in our local judicial system. It is one of the primary causes of homelessness. It effects children in their ability to learn, feel safe, and socialize. For teenagers, it contributes to drug and alcohol abuse, youth violence, and teenage pregnancy. It’s a reason for days missed from work and visits to the emergency room. Every one of us is affected by the issue of domestic violence in one way or another. It may be your neighbor, your sister, your friend, or a co-worker, but it is likely very close to home.

Abuse can take many forms and can sometimes begin subtly. If you find yourself walking on egg shells, changing your behavior to prevent a violent outburst, or if you’re ever afraid of your partner, these are warning signs that should not be ignored. If your partner humiliates you, is ever physically violent, or threatens violence, these are clear signs of an unhealthy relationship. If the abuse occurs in a pattern of tension building followed by a violent outburst, and then apologies, gifts, and extra sweet behavior with promises of change -- and then the pattern repeats -- this is a cycle of violence. The situation probably will not change without intervention, and is likely to get progressively worse.

Cycle of Violence

• Phase 1 – Tension Building
• Abuser starts to get angry
• The victim feels the need to try to keep the abuser calm
• The level of tension is high
• Victims often describe a feeling of “walking on egg shells”
• Trying not to “set him off”
• Phase 2 – Explosive Incident
• May be physical, emotional, or sexual
• Phase 3 – Honeymoon Phase – Hearts and Flowers
• The abuser apologizes and promises to change
• Sometimes there is minimizing -- “it wasn’t that bad”
• The abuser may give gifts, extra special treatment
• Victim hopes that the abuser will change

The cycle repeats. The timing may vary, but usually the cycle begins to shorten and increase in intensity over time.

Violence is a learned behavior and can be unlearned, although it is often tied to a belief system about how relationships are. Because these beliefs may have come from childhood experiences and have been in place for a long time, they will likely be difficult to change. It will take accountability on the part of the abuser, and an end to blaming others for violent behavior, in order for it to stop. Couples counseling is not recommended when there is active violence because it is not safe. Individual counseling and separate group counseling sessions may help each partner address issues that can lead them to come together in a non-violent way in the future.

There is no exact way to know how dangerous your partner might be but there are some predictors that are of grave concern.

• Threats of suicide or homicide or fantasies about killing
• Weapons in the home -- guns in the home are very dangerous in an abusive relationship
• If the police have been called more than once, especially if the abuser has little regard for consequences
• Feelings of ownership of the victim, extreme possessiveness, or unfounded jealousy