It damages and destroys committed relationships such as marriage and long-term partnerships as well as the new relationship. It is now estimated that at least one out three high school and college-aged youth experience abuse at some point in their relationships. It can range from a single episode to chronic abuse. It is the second leading cause of death to women age twenty to forty-five. An abusive incident rarely occurs only once, abuse usually increases in frequency and severity over time.
Chronic abusers display a typical pattern following physical abuse episodes.
This is usually exactly the behavior the victim has hoped for and often causes her to decide to remain in the relationship. Repeated abusers almost never change their abusive responses spontaneously. It is not the victim's job to change this aspect of his personality. He must seek professional assistance if he is to change. This means she will actually begin to agree with the criticisms and perspectives of the abuser while her own personality, opinions, and views fade to the background.