What occurs during the Honeymoon phase of the cycle of violence?

• A. The violent incident
• B. Brief period of calm and promises after the abusive incident
• C. The escalation
• D. The end of the relationship

Answer: (B)

After an abusive incident, the Honeymoon phase is a brief period of calm when the abuser apologizes, makes promises to change, and acts loving or affectionate to win back trust. This creates a hopeful sense that the violence won't continue and that the relationship can be safe again. It’s often a deliberate pattern used to regain control, as the temporary peace makes the victim doubt what just happened and consider staying. The key distinction is that this phase follows the abuse, not the incident itself, and it sets the stage for the cycle to start again—tension builds, an incident occurs, and the honeymoon recurs. The aftermath can last days to weeks, but it’s typically short and illusory, masking the underlying pattern of power and control.