When battered woman’s syndrome has been used as a plea of self-defense, especially in cases of homicide, it has highly been scrutinized. According to recent research, characteristics associated with the syndrome form a standard that jurors use to judge battered women. This study would evaluate how characteristics of a defendant would affect a juror’s legal decision-making, in a case of a woman pleading not guilty under terms of self-defense, who were suffering from battered woman’s syndrome. To
Battered Women’s Syndrome changes lives Battered women’s syndrome is a mental disorder or psychological paralysis that occurs in many different households worldwide. Battered Women’s Syndrome is more common in abusive relationships with intimate partners, it can also be caused by being abused as a child or seeing abuse around you. The major causes of abuse is alcohol or stress. I have personally witnessed what happens to a person suffering from Battered Women’s Syndrome. Battered Women’s Syndrome
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,
Battered Woman Syndrome: The Perfect Defense Or The Perfect Murder The standards of women and their rights have changed vastly over the years. In the 1800’s women were subject to whatever treatment a man felt necessary. Self-defense was not heard of and women did not dare stand up for themselves. In the modern age of today women have the right to be treated just like everyone else is, with respect. Although women have more rights in today’s society and have the right to stand up for themselves that
states that Battered Women Syndrome is morally wrong because women are suggesting that they do not have the same capacity for self-governance as men by holding themselves to different standards and special treatment under this plea. Battered Women Syndrome can often be called in this case as a “get out of jail free card” (Veinsreideris, 619) because the woman murders her abuser preemptively and in most cases receives little to no sentence for the act committed. Battered Women Syndrome often acts as
Moral Implications of the Battered Woman Syndrome The Battered Woman Syndrome, like the Cycle Theory of Violence, helps to illuminate the situation of the person victimized by domestic violence. However, it may also contribute to the violence of the battering situation. In this paper, I explore some of the implications of the Battered Woman Syndrome for domestic violence cases wherein an abused woman kills her abuser. I begin by delineating some of the circumstances of a domestic violence situation
The purpose of this research was to examine the affects of physical, emotional, sexual, and even economic abuse in families, also known as domestic violence. Domestic violence often escalates in stages. Usually, the abuse is cyclical and escalates beginning with threats and verbal abuse, later resulting in violence. Although, physical injury by a partner may be the most evident danger, the emotional and psychological effects of domestic abuse are also severe, and may go easily undetected. A screening
Battered Woman Syndrome As a Defense Battered Woman Syndrome is a medical condition used in legal defense by victims who have killed their abusive spouse. Years of living within the “Cycle of Violence,” can alter a victim’s state of psychosis, leading them to a constant state of intimate-terror. In recently recognizing this syndrome, the courts will accept a victim’s plea of “Battered Woman Syndrome” as a valid defence after killing their abusive spouse. According to the Domestic Abuse Shelter, “In
is now resulting in a spouse being labeled with the brand of “battered woman’s syndrome” and it opens the door for a many unanswered questions, and is debatable at best. In the case of Francine Hughes Wilson, “The Burning Bed” shed new light on the ever growing problems within a domestic abusive relationship and gave way to social change, knowledge and empowerment within such situations. One must question if “Battered Women’s Syndrome” is a mental illness or an excuse for murder without consequences
expect the female members “...to maintain silence about sexual assault, to protect ‘family honor and community integrity’” (p.265) was both frustrating and heartbreaking. The fact that the community the woman is a member of, during the time she needs them the most, expects her to continue suffering with her current situation was depressing to read. I can understand how the minority community, and the minority victim of abuse, may want to keep the police out of their situation because of reports about