Cycle of violence

The cycle of violence is like a loop or circle. It starts with somebody being hurt or threatened by someone else. This might be done with words or by physical violence. This person then feels scared, angry, frustrated and helpless. They might not even know why they feel this way. This can cause them to act out and hurt or threaten someone else. Then the cycle starts again with the other person feeling scared, angry, frustrated and helpless. This can happen over and over again unless someone steps in to stop it. It is important to remember that you don't need to stay in the cycle of violence. Everybody has the right to be safe and feel respected. If you or someone you know is in a cycle of violence, speak to a trusted adult or contact a support service to help you get out.