Marital violence is used to refer to the violence that occurs between married couples or couples living together as husband and wife. It also includes people who are in intimate romantic relationships or are engaged to be married.
The cycle of violence starts with building up of tension. The tension gradually increases and the aggrieved person behaves in a way that clearly demonstrates his displeasure.
He verbally abuses, pushes, grabs and even slaps or hits the partner. Some aggrieved people threaten the partners with death.
Some even continue with rape and other sexual abuse. In most cases, the partner calms down and appolizes by expressing regret and sorrow.
The violent acts reoccur and can lead to death or maiming of a partner through cutlass wounds or even shooting.
Some partners stay in violent relationships hoping that the partner will change. Often children make it more difficult for women to leave even when in the face of threat of death.
Some partners stay because they do not know where to go. Those who stay learn survival techniques.
In some cases, the sufferer in an attempt to defend him/her self, kill the aggressor.