Earlier this week on Regional Radio, we heard from the folks at Willow Tree Mission in Piatt County about the 'power control wheel' that makes up the dynamics of an abusive situation.

Susan Houston indicates the 'cycle of abuse' starts with an increase in tension followed by an instance of domestic abuse. She points out victims will often talk themselves out of the fact tensions are rising.

That is followed by a period of calm with a honeymoon period where the abuser claims to have changed or will work to change and the victim drops any legal proceedings they have started and may stop receiving help from agencies like Willow Tree Missions.

Oftentimes, domestic violence is perceived as men victimizing women and while that is the majority of the cases, women can victimize men. Houston also points out domestic violence is a learned behavior and when children see it, they are more likely to duplicate the behavior as teens or adults. 

On Regional Radio last week, Houston noted it takes a victim around seven attempts to leave a relationship before they are successful. One thing Willow Tree does through its services is help victims develop a safety plan. 

Get more information about Willow Tree Missions by finding them on Facebook, visit willowtreemissions.org.