Battered Wife Syndrome

Domestic violence is an epidemic and the number one health concern in our country. There are more abusers and their victims compared to past years. As a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship, domestic violence is used by one person to gain or maintain power and control over another one. It can be physical, sexual, emotional, and economic abuse and not look the same in every relationship because every relationship is different. This kind of abuse affects people of all ages and sexes, socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds, education and employment levels. Abuse towards children and the elderly can be violent or aggressive behavior. Thus, there are many types of abuse that one can suffer; awareness of the signs of domestic violence is especially important before getting into any kind of intimate relationship.

Until recently, in fact, wife beating has often been something to joke about at cocktail parties. But the seriousness and savagery of battering relationships cannot be underestimate. Murder, suicide, permanent injury, kidnapping, incest, and child abused are all inherent aspects of this syndrome. As, and if as a feminist, I believe that our word will never be rid of violence until all societies treat men and women as equals, I also believe it is true that the men and women will never be equals until women are physically safe in their own homes.

Tanya Mitchell frantically called 911 to report a shooting-a shooting she committed. In an act of self-defense against her abusive husband who, at the time, was threatening to kill her, she did what she had to do to save her own life. From her reports, her husband was not only abusive, but that he gave men in his “motorcycle club” permission to gang rape her-while he watched. Specific example of his sadistic abuse include him telling her they were going to get married while holding her at gunpoint, making her play Russian roulette, and even trying to rip off her nails. Her attorneys were going to use Battered Woman Syndrome (to take her psychological health based off of her abuse) as a factor in the case but were not confident it would

Domestic violence is a serious matter that needs to be dealt with immediately and if not, it can lead to much harm to the opposing partner and or their family’s life. This problem is affecting the lives of people in many ways because of this. When a person is abused, they lose their self-ego and dignity. It puts that person in fear of

To discuss the role of the battered women’s syndrome in relation to how characteristics of a victim affect legal decision-making it is important to define what battered women’s syndrome is. Battered women’s syndrome is the array of physical and

The laws of BDS are kind of confusing. In many states is now recognizable in legislation

As expert competitors remind us on a week after week basis, domestic violence is a social issue which keeps on plaguing the country. Through stricter law implementation, enhanced healing facility reporting methods, and across the country training and directing, this issue can be lessened. Domestic violence has a wide range of names, for example, family brutality, battering, and wife beating. Every one of these terms allude to the same thing, misuse by conjugal, basic law, or a dating accomplice in a cozy relationship. It is not constrained to physical beating. It is any conduct that is expected to overwhelm and control another individual using mortification, dread, and physical or verbal strike. Domestic violence is a critical issue in today's

“Domestic violence is a type of abuse by one or both partners in marriage, friends, family, dating or cohabitation” (Aziz & Mahmoud, 2010). There are many forms of abuse from verbal and emotional to physical that often escalates over time in intensity for the victim. Data from the criminal justice system, hospital patient medical records and mental health records, police reports, surveys and social services reports of thousands of women revealed that many are injured and killed as a result of violence from someone close to them. “The US Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) defines domestic violence as a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner regardless of race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender” (Robertson & Murachver, 2009). Researchers and the criminal justice system have not been able to agree on a clear definition to domestic violence which can range from physical injury, stalking, verbal abuse and humiliation, denial of shelter and access to money, and intimidation through aggressive behaviors. The definition of domestic violence may vary but the results from physical injury, mental and emotional trauma, and sometimes even death can last a life time.

Even though Battered Person/Women Syndrome is now more of an accepted argument in a court of law because of it the result of a great deal of psychological abuse and stress, there is still controversy surrounding it. Because of this, the legal definition of battered person syndrome relates to the Oakes Test because of limiting interpretation within the Criminal Code. Which further causes an “overriding [of] a constitutionally protected right or freedom.” Simon Fraser University, n.d.) In other words, because Section 718.2a through e of the Criminal Code - R.S.C., 1985, c. C-46 completely ignores whether or not the offender themselves were abused for months or even years on end before they committed an offence, therefore it not only puts on

The Theories Behind Battered Woman’s Syndrome (BWS) Focus Questions 1. How has BWS been used in the legal system 2. What are some of the controversies around BWS Battered Woman’s Syndrome is a psychological theory which evolved in the late 1970’s, it was developed by Dr Lenore Walker, a leader in the field of domestic violence. In 1979 Walker conducted a study based on 120 random battered women in the region of Colorado, in order to develop ideas and possibly prove that there are similarities in the way that these women act due to their abuse.

Public often perceives domestic violence as the projection of physical abuse onto victims, overlooking psychological abuse (Carlson and Worden, 2005). Jill is a domestic violence survivor who filed a restraining order against her husband. Jill remained with her husband despite being abused because she felt threatened to leave the relationship. Her frighten behavior triggered the battered-women syndrome. Battered-women syndrome refers to male batters’ pattern of violent behavior towards female victims and her response towards the abuse (Walker, 1984b).

The Battered Women Syndrome is a series of characteristics in women who are physically and psychologically abused by an important dominant male in their lives. These women learn helplessness and dependency; sometimes these characteristics originate from childhood. According to Dr. Lenore E. Walker, a woman must experience two cycles, before she can be labeled a “battered woman”. The two cycles are called the “cycle of violence”. This cycle leads to the feeling that the abuse will never stop. It almost becomes natural. Sometimes the relationships will be calm, and the abuser will apologize for what happened. This part is called the “honeymoon cycle”, but at other points in the cycle the tension and

According to statistics found by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Every nine seconds a woman is abused by her husband or intimate partner. At least 1 in every 4 women and 1 in every 9 men have been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused in their lifetime. Most often the abuser is one of their own family. Domestic violence is a problem that somehow affects every one of us in this room at some time and is actually the leading cause of injury to women -- more than car accidents, muggings and rapes combined.

The purpose of this research paper is to prove that criminal law in America has failed to provide a defense that adequately protects women suffering from Battered Women's Syndrome. Battered Women's Syndrome, or BWS, is a very complex psychological problem facing criminal courts today and has caused great debate on whether or not it should even be allowed in the courtroom. Although the syndrome has been given more consideration as a warranted issue by society, those who create our laws and control our courtrooms, have not developed a defense that sufficiently protects these women. United States courtrooms, instead of protecting battered women, have put these women on trial and found them guilty of murder.

Never should a person stay in a relationship with a person who is abusive and especially threatening to kill them. God values your life and safety above all else. In this essay I am going to briefly talk about domestic violence and how it is contrary to the will God and when is it permissible to divorce.