Cycle of abuse

Walker used the term more narrowly, to describe the cycling patterns of calm, violence, and reconciliation within an abusive relationship.

Similarly, Dutton (1994) writes, "The prevalence of violence in homosexual relationships, which also appear to go through abuse cycles is hard to explain in terms of men dominating women.

Critics have argued the theory is flawed as it does not apply as universally as Walker suggested, does not accurately or completely describe all abusive relationships, and may emphasize ideological presumptions rather than empirical data.

It also builds as the result of illness, legal or financial problems, unemployment, or catastrophic events, like floods, rape or war.

[5] Characterized by affection, apology, or, alternatively, ignoring the incident, this phase marks an apparent end of violence, with assurances that it will never happen again, or that the abuser will do their best to change.

[5] Over time, the abuser's apologies and requests for forgiveness become less sincere and are generally stated to prevent separation or intervention.

For instance, Scott Allen Johnson developed a 14-stage cycle that broke down the tension-building, acting-out and calm stages further.

Nonetheless, they also note that her initial research was based almost entirely on anecdotal data from a rather small set of women who were in violent relationships.

[3] Walker herself wrote, "These women were not randomly selected and they cannot be considered a legitimate data base from which to make specific generalizations.