Northrup details the cycle of the abuse which begins with what she calls the honeymoon phase, where everything seems perfect and the couple is happy. Next is the escalation period, where there is more verbal and possibly more physical abuse, finally ending with the crisis, where the abuse gets worse.

According to the Domestic Violence Program of Herkimer County, a Catholic Charities program, 459 women utilized the Domestic Violence 24-hour Hotline during 2004.

Northrup asked audience members what they would do if it was their friend. She said victims are more likely to go to their friends then they are to the police or even call an anonymous phone number.

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