3 out of 4 women murdered are killed by their husbands. In Eugene, over 300 incidents of domestic abuse are reported to police annually. Womenspace receives 6-7,000 calls annually from battered women. More than 250 will seek emergency housing. In most cases, beatings increase in frequency and intensity, sometimes leading to hospitalization and even death.
Abusers use force and threats to force to control and maintain power over others.
In phase 1, the tension builds. The offender belittles and criticizes the victim until he or she is emotionally broken. In Phase 2, the tension peaks and the offender attacks. This phase is marked by kind, contrite, loving behavior. Commonly, the offender may promise that the assaults will never happen again.