During which phase of the abuse cycle does the abuser begin to exert power and control over the victim?

The tension-building phase is the stage in the abuse cycle where the abuser starts to exert power and control over the victim. During this phase, the abuser may escalate minor conflicts, exhibit controlling behavior, and create an environment of fear and anxiety. The victim often feels a sense of impending danger and may try to placate the abuser or avoid triggering their anger, which gives the abuser a greater sense of control.

In this context, the tension-building phase is crucial as it sets the stage for the eventual violent episode. This phase is marked by increasing tension that can lead the victim to modify their behavior in an effort to reduce conflict. It illustrates how abusers systematically manipulate and dominate their victims, often leading to the cycle of abuse persisting over time.

The other phases mentioned are significant in the cycle of abuse but do not focus specifically on the assertion of power and control in the same way. The violent episode phase is characterized by the actual act of violence, the reconciliation phase involves attempts by the abuser to restore the relationship after an incident, and the aftermath phase focuses on the emotional and psychological fallout that follows the violence. Each of these phases plays a role in the overall dynamics of an abusive relationship, but the tension-building phase is specifically