More than 3 million children witness acts of domestic violence each year. A male child in a home where battering takes place is 1000 times more likely to become a batterer than a male child in a home where battering does not take place. Victim compliant, good behavior Batterer experiences increased tension. Victim minimizes problems. Batterer increases threats.
Victim denies danger.
Batterer takes more control. Tension becomes more intolerable. Victim is helpless, feels trapped. Batterer is highly abusive. Batterer often apologetic, attentive.