How Batterers Get Victims to Recant

The 7 Stages of Manipulation

The Victim is Strong The Couple Constructs

Step 1 Step 5
andDetermined Their Recantation Plan

Victim resists the accused perpetrator's account He gives her specific instructions on what to say
of what happened They view the court system as the
Heated arguments from jail between enemy that wants to keep them apart
couple about what happened or destroy their family

ThePerpetratorTurns The Batterer is

Step2 Step 6
Himself into The Victim Emboldened

He minimizes the abuse

The batterer has learned that his actions have
Perpetrator appeals to her sympathy by telling
no lasting consequences
her how he is suffering
The batterer has learned that
Victim feels guilt / regret / worries for
his victim can be manipulated
him & tries to soothe him

The Cycle of
TheCouple BondsOverTheir ViolenceBeginsAgain
"Us Against Them"Love Step3 Step7
forEachOther

They imagine how terrible it will be without

each other
He convinces her the court system is trying
to hurt them & their family
Is thisHappening toYou?

ThePerpetrator Asks the Step 4 Contact a local victim advocate for help or to
Victim to Recant discuss your options

If there is a no contact order in place and you

He tells her she has the power to keep
are being contacted by perpetrator-please report
him out of jail
it to law enforcement
The victim feels his life is in her hands
She believes she will be hurting him by cooperating
Victim agrees to recant Created By: The Pinellas County Domestic Violence Task Force