Forms

Women’s experience show that violence against women in intimate relationships is usually a combination of several forms of violence.

These forms can be summarized in five basic categories:

1. Physical forms of violence – in this form we encounter slap jostling, burns, kicking, tearing hair, hurting objects (weapons, etc.), pushing out of the window or balcony. The consequence of this violence may be bruises, contusions, lacerations, fractures and injuries with long-term health complications or various chronic diseases. It can lead to the murder of women and / or children. Under this form we understand the hidden forms, such as the threat of such behavior, throwing objects with the intent to throw next to the woman and / or child and so to frighten them or other methods that leave no injuries.
2. Psychological forms of violence – for example, threats of children abduction, assault of family or acquaintances murder of women / children and men, the suicide threats, intimidation of women by constant criticizing and controlling of them, verbal abuse, harassment and persecution. One form of psychological violence is social isolation. Men forbid his partner contact with her family and friends.
3. Economic forms of violence – such behavior, resulting in controlled and limited access to finances. Women and children often have lower living standards than violent husband, partner or father. Man intentionally does not contribute to the care of the household, the family went into debt or a decision on any financial commitment is up to him.
4. Sexualized violence – its purpose is not to satisfy, but to achieve complete control over the body of a woman. In particular, the enforcement of sexual intercourse or other sexual activities, forced to have sex with other partners before other people and / or children, rape and the so on.
5. Stalking – is a particular form of violence that can continue even after the relationship is over. Partner controls women through high frequency of calls, text messages, e-mails, waiting in front of work, stalking with who and where they go.

Patterns

Violent man is trying to achieve full power and control over woman. In an effort to weaken her confidence and personality of woman he often uses certain behavior patterns:

• Isolation
• Maintaining the horror and terror
• Humiliation and denigration
• The application of absolute control
• Blaming partner for violence and justification of violence
• Enforcement of trivial activities and exhaustion
• Occasional kindness
• Distorted self-perception and reality by women

The dynamics of the cycle of violence

Violent behavior has its dynamics, which is the same in all cases. Violence in the relationship lasts a long time and the different stages are repeated cyclically.

• Tension increases: In a relationship tension increases, for example, because the woman has a different opinion on things and expresses disagreement. Violent man has been trying to win over the woman by using power and control.
• Acute attack: Tension degenerates into violence. The man commits the attack (any form of violence, or its combination).
• Silence / denial: After the attack, violent man committed violence denies or downplays the situation. At this stage woman is most often silent because she fears further violence or decides to seek help and plans to leave the violent relationship.
• “Honeymoon”: The next phase is the phase of “honeymoon”. Man often manifests various favors toward women (gifts, expressions of love and affection) or promises will no longer behave violently, that will change.