Which phase follows Phase II in the cycle of violence theory?

• A. Phase I Tension Building
• B. Phase IV Aftercare
• C. Phase III Honeymoon phase
• D. Phase II Acute battering

Answer: (C)

The phase after the acute battering is the Honeymoon phase, where the abuser often expresses remorse, showering the other person with kindness, apologies, and promises to change. This period creates a sense of calm and hope, making the victim feel that things might really get better. Because blame is minimized and the relationship seems to improve, the survivor may lower their guard and stay in the relationship, even though the underlying dynamics haven’t fundamentally changed. This temporary stabilization is the recipe for the cycle to start building tension again, leading back to the tension-building phase. It's also helpful to note that the follow-up stage to this calm is the Aftercare period, where genuine support and resources become more prominent, but the key point here is that the Honeymoon phase is the interval that follows the violent incident and temporarily restores the relationship’s veneer of harmony.