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 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
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
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
The Legal issue in the case was whether the use of provocation as a defense could stand as she had sufficient time to consider her action and also if it could stand as a defence to person who has suffered domestic abuse with resulted in a battered woman’s syndrome. The Crown court convicted her of Murder and rejected the defence of provocation. The court of appeal overturned the conviction and ordered a retrial. Facts On the night of May 9,1989, The appellant, who had endured 10 years of domestic
Study Between Battered Women Who Endure and Relinquish Violence Josiah Marie B. Carreon AB Psychology ABSTRACT For the past 30 years, violence had increase against women within abusive relationships, why women stay and endure the pain and why they relinquish violence. Women who are being battered share certain observable characteristics. Speaking with a battered woman should reveal these characteristics and help to identify her as a sufferer of Battered Women Syndrome. INTRODUCTION
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,
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
Over the last 20 years, community awareness of domestic and family violence has made a significant increase. Statistics have shown that every 9 seconds in the United States, a woman is assaulted, and around the world, at least one in every three women has been battered and manipulated into having sex. Most often, the abuser is a member of her own family (Domestic Violence Statistics, 2013). Domestic violence is not restricted to a single ethnicity, religion, race, age group
children" refers to any act or a series of acts committed by any person against a woman who is his wife, former wife, or against a woman with whom the person has or had a sexual or dating relationship, or with whom he has a common child, or against her child whether legitimate or illegitimate, within or without the family abode, which result in or is likely to result in physical, sexual, psychological harm or suffering, or economic abuse including threats of such acts, battery, assault, coercion, harassment