When frontline domestic violence counsellors introduce victims of abuse to the Cycle of Violence, they will almost universally resonate with it. Understanding that most domestic abuse is cyclical and predictable will be a great help to you in your work with Circuit Breaker participants. It makes sense of some of the most puzzling aspects of domestic abuse relationships, such as:

• Why does she stay?
• Why does he buy her flowers one minute and swear at her the next?
• Why do conflicted couples often feel so good about their relationships?
• Why does the victim I spent 3 hours helping suddenly say "we're all good now thanks?"