NORWICH – The Crime Victims Program through Catholic Charities offered a training on domestic violence last week, in an attempt to inform the community of the warning signs of domestic abuse, services offered through the program, and how, when and where to get help if one is afflicted.

April Conant, a crime victim advocate, explained that domestic violence is about power and control, and operates in a pattern. Conant said it is typical for an abused individual to go through the cycle approximately seven times before leaving.

“The three stages of the cycle are the tension phase, explosion phase, and honeymoon phase,” said Conant. She explained warning signs of possible domestic abuse, which include emotional control, coercion, threats, intimidation, looking through a partner’s cell phone, shaming, name-calling, economic control, and various additional factors.

“Outsiders, friends, or family don’t necessarily see these things,” said Conant. “The tension stage doesn’t include physical violence, that might take place in the explosion stage. The honeymoon stage is when the offender apologizes and attempts to rationalize their behavior.”

According to Conant, 85 percent of domestic violence victims are women.

“Intimate partner violence” is one of the major forms of domestic violence. Conant said Chenango County ranks 35th in the state with reported sexual crimes. Child abuse is additionally a form of domestic abuse, and Chenango County ranks 5th in the state.