Battered Women Syndrome Essay

According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and The National Institute of Justice, one in four women in the United States has experienced domestic violence during her lifetime (Battered Woman Syndrome, 2012). This type of abuse can be fatal and detrimental to one’s personal growth. When woman are repeatedly abused, they show different signs, symptoms and general characteristics. These characteristics are defined as Battered Woman Syndrome.

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

Ladies and gentlemen, please note that guidelines for the use of Battered Woman Syndrome state that testimony claiming that the defendant is suffering the effects of BWS should be taken with a grain of salt.

Many women and men seek intimate relationships in order to fill their emotional needs of security, safety and love. Their journey starts off with their loved ones spoiling them with flattering gifts and emotional words. The love they feel is so wonderful and deep that they believe that nothing can come between them. They are so happy and convinced that they will live happily ever after with the one they love. Unfortunately, the fairytale they have dreamt about was only temporary and soon comes to an end. The love story they have ones longed for turns into a horrible nightmare. The emotional words they were once spoiled with turn into howling screams and name-calling. The flattering gifts turn into physical abuse. This relationship is referred to as domestic violence or intimate partner violence. This happens when a partner or significant other declares power, authority and control over the other partner. To maintain this authority and control, the abusive partner uses emotional, physical or sexual abuse over his victim (Alters 27). Victims will desperately look for an exit out of this relationship, but only to be blocked by numerous walls of the despair, fear and misery. Many people are convinced that victims have the option of leaving, but they are too weak and they choose not to. What many people don 't know is, victims of domestic violence have many reasons preventing them from leaving their abusers. In most cases the outcomes of leaving are

(Battered Woman's Syndrome). If it is confusing because BWS is not a legal defense but the

Before looking at the use of battered women’s syndrome as a legal defense, it would help to look at the definition of who exactly a battered woman is. In Daniel Saunders’ research of rates of husband and wife violence, he uses the term “battered women” in the broad sense to mean female recipients of any form of physical force that is intended to hurt. Therefore, Battered Women’s Syndrome is the name given to the measurable psychological changes that may occur after prolonged terms of abuse and is considered a subgroup of

One Afternoon Syke Jones was discovered in his home by his wife Delia and pronounced dead due to a venomous snake bite. Soon after it was brought to the attention of the court that Delia has been charged with the case of his death. The case has been examined by the Jury on all accounts from the defender and prosecutor. We, the Jury, find Delia Jones not guilty on account of all chargers of murder or manslaughter. The Jury has come to this conclusion due to there being no intention of death on her part, she suffers from Battered Women’s Syndrome, And that she seems to be no threat to society then, now or in the future.

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

Women constantly blame themselves, they have low-self esteem, which makes them even more vulnerable to their abuser. They try and please their abuser’s needs, hang on to the promises of change, and strongly believe that if they stay long enough, they will be able to save their situation.

I began researching to find information and found that “Battered Woman Syndrome” was when the abused woman believes that what is happening to her and what she is going through is her fault. I began to cry because this was me, believing that everything was my fault. If I could just cook better or if I could just not do whatever it was that I was doing that upset him that I could stop the abuse. It seemed that I could not please him no matter what I did. I also believed this was my husband, so I had to try to make him happy no matter what happened to me. I could not leave because I was worried about what people would say about me, especially if they knew that my marriage was not working.

To begin, no I do not believe battered woman syndrome exist, there are women and men who have been raped and battered as well and do not go out and kill the wrongdoer. Whether it be male or female, an individual facing imminent danger has the right to defend himself or herself. A woman/or man who kills there souse hours after being beaten is murder. Instead of exiting the situation, they take the time to think which according to the law is mens rea, and then completion of the act, which is physical. To explain further, if an individual is perceptive enough to load a gun and shoot it, this situation is not paralysis it is clear thinking. In a state of paralysis, one should not be able to operate a weapon or think clearly enough to execute revenge. Why would the victim not apply this energy into an exit strategy?

Most women stay in abusive relationships because sometimes since it's not physical they think that it's not as bad since there no violence involved. Also, it's hard for some women to leave because their partners have a tendency to manipulate their mind's into thinking that this is all they can get or deserve. They degrade their self-worth. They also think that after a while that the circumstance of the situation will change. Also,victims tend to find excuses for the abusers; but in reality, THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR ABUSE!

Nearly one in four women in the United States reports experiencing violence by a current or former spouse or boyfriend at some point in her life (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2008). As stated in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “ These are our sisters, mothers, friends, family members, neighbors, and co-workers”.Should women that suffer from “battered woman's syndrome” be charged with murder for killing there abuser? “The term "battered woman syndrome" was introduced in the late 1970s by psychologist Lenore Walker to explain the psychological problems of women who are caught in a cycle of domestic violence” (ProQuest Staff).The mind of a typical domestically abused women has been diagnosed, monitored, and studied by professionals numerous of times. However, one may believe “battered women syndrome” should be used as an excuse in court, with prior evidence for self defense and mental illness if the women being abused had suffered domestic violence tragically.

Each phase may differ in length and the level of violence may increase over time. Most victims report that their partner was not abusive in the beginning stages of their relationship but slowly progressed to be so. A population-based survey collected data from women who have suffered from DV (domestic violence) to track the characteristics of the cycle. The repetitive cycle is generally classified into three distinct stages; a tension building phase, an episode of violence and a “honeymoon” phase (Figure 1: Domestic violence against women cycle). The first few tension building stages will appear subtle and minor, such as breaking down a victim's self-worth, passive aggressive insults and creating unnecessary conflict. These tactics are used by the abuser to manipulate the woman into doubting herself and believing false realities created by the abuser. Eventually, the tension will continue to build until a breaking point is reached and an "episode" occurs. The episode of violence stage may not even be violent at all. This stage is classified by any severe physical, emotional or psychological attack on the victim at the peak of the tension building phase. The next step, the honeymoon phase, is the key aspect of the cycle because it allows for the abuser to regain power over the victim. The abuser will be sincerely apologetic, with empty promises to never harm her again. Without this stage, there would be no cycle, and the victim would have no reason to remain in the relationship. The slow progression of these unhealthy aspects of a relationship allows for the abuser to manipulate and control the victim to stay in the

“Every year in the United States there are over 3 million incidents of domestic violence. That means that every nine seconds a women is beaten by her domestic partner” (Findeley). There are many women that stay silent when being abuse by their partners. The consequences of staying quiet when obtaining abuse can be dangerous and can also lead to death. Many women do not recognize the importance of the fact that there is in speaking out if they are being abuse by their partner. No woman should take domestic abuse by their partners. Every woman deserves a healthy relationship; A healthy relationship involves trust, respect, and consideration for the other person. Domestic abuse has gotten worse during the past years and is still rising up. One can see that domestic abuse can occur everywhere. Domestic abuse is considered a crime and woman should not keep silent when being abuse.