Battered Women Syndrome - 1311 Words

Domestic violence is often perceived as males projecting physical abuse to female victims which overlooks the psychological abuse that they also experience (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 behavior triggered battered-women syndrome. Battered- women syndrome refers to the male batter’s violent behavior patterns towards the female victims and her response towards the abuse (Walker, 1984b). This paper will show that women stay with their abuser due to the post-traumatic stress disorder, learned helplessness, and emotional intelligence. Walker (1991)†¦show more content†¦In addition, these victims may also avoid any uncomfortable thoughts and feelings that are associated with the abuse. Battered victims will socially withdraw themselves from family, friends, and activities they use to enjoy. Walker (1991) indicated that individuals do not seek mental health treatment because they do not have a proper diagnosis of PTSD. Individuals may be in denial that their abusive relationship deeply impacted them psychologically. Without the proper diagnosis, victims believe that their unstable psychological state is common, causing them to stay with the abuser. Learned helplessness increases the likelihood that the battered victim will remain in an abusive relationship. Walker (1991) described learned helplessness as the learned psychological behavior that is shaped by unpleasant encounters. Walker (1991) also compared the behavior of battered victims in relationships with the animals who received shocks in an inescapable setting. Similar to animals, individuals will continue to stay in the inescapable environment because they assume there is no escape. The battered individual will lose motivation to leave the abusive relationship because they unconsciously accept the maltreatment. A study that examined approximately 6,000 women in battered women’s shelters revealed that women are more likely to leave their abuser if theyShow MoreRelatedBattered Women s Syndrome As A Legal Defense4018 Words   |  17 Pagesanalysis, I will attempt to cover the basis of Battered Women’s Syndrome as a legal defense. This will cover the histori cal context of Battered Women’s Syndrome as a legal defense, which will of course require a brief review of what battered women’s syndrome is by using experts in the field, usually psychologists. When reviewing the historical context of such a subversive topic, it is essential to the structure that we look at actual cases involving battered women such as abuse being reported and cases thatRead MoreBattered Women Syndrome Essay8371 Words   |  34 PagesBattered Women Syndrome 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 â€Å"battered woman†. The two cycles are called the â€Å"cycle of violence†. This cycle leads to the feeling thatRead MoreA Cross Sectional Study On Women1648 Words   |  7 PagesStudy 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. INTRODUCTIONRead MoreEssay about Criticisms of Battered Woman Syndrome502 Words   |  3 PagesThe Battered Woman Syndrome (BWM) is a syndrome whereas women react in a certain manner because of repetitively physical or psychological abused imposed on them by their mates. The Battered Woman Syndrome (BMW) is not limited in one area or location it is a problem that is occurring all over in the world (2009, pg. 148). Like every other issue in the world criticism come into play by psychologists and others when someone claims that they are victims of the Battered Woman Syndrome or the Battered WomanRead MoreThe Controversial Concept Of Battered Woman Syndrome1121 Words   |  5 PagesBattered Woman Syndrome The controversial concept of Battered Woman Syndrome (BWS) is a psychological theory that aims to explain the behavior of certain women who suffer abuse from their husbands, partners, or significant others. The theory was first proposed and introduced by Dr. Lenore Walker in the 1970’s based on her clinical observations. It then quickly became a common way to validate criminal behavior of women who were charged with the murder of their partner, however since the syndromeRead MoreDomestic Bias Of Domestic Violence1659 Words   |  7 Pagesprinciple of domestic violence has been altered from general violent or aggressive behavior committed against ones partner, to violence committed by males against females. Over the past forty years, studies and research have constantly found that women and men engage in violence at similar rates. Family Violence Surveys suggest that â€Å"The phenomenon of husband battering† (1977) is as, if not more, common than wife abuse. However, despite the plentiful evidence and studies that support this fact, violenceRead MorePhysical And Psychological And Sexual Abuse980 Words   |  4 Pagesmale or female. It’s a language that only people who have not taken a recollection nor responsibility to the issue at hand. This leads into BWS which is classified as a psychiatric condition named Battered Woman Syndrome. The actual definition of this disease from Wikipedia is â€Å"Battered person syndrome is a physical and psychological condition of a person who has suffered emotional, physical, or sexual abuse from another person†. According to the Psychiatric Times, it has been in the medical fieldRead MoreBattered Wife Syndrome1487 Words   |  6 Pagesillogical. Battered wife syndrome (a condition created by sustained physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse, which creates a variety of physical and emotional symptoms) has been used as a defence in murder cases in which women have killed or harmed their abuser. Although expert testimony regarding battered wife syndrome has gained some acceptance in the courts, it is questionable that it provides enough solid and substantive evidence to be used as a credible defence. The battered wife syndrome defenceRead MoreSuffering with Battered Woman Syndrome 724 Words   |  3 PagesNearly 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, â€Å" These are our sisters, mothers, friends, family members, neighbors, and co-workers†.Should women that suffer from â€Å"battered woman s syndrome† be charged with murder for killing there abuser? â€Å"The term battered woman syndrome was introduced inRead MoreGeneral Characteristics of Battered Woman Syndrome1700 Words   |  7 Pages Battered Woman Syndrome An estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year. A surfacing psychological condition known as Battered Woman Syndrome (BWS), develops after experiencing physical and emotional abuse over an extended period of time. BWS has been subcategorized as a form of post-traumatic stress disorder, proving that it is indeed, a very serious and severe condition. Battered Woman Syndrome causes severe, emotional and psychological trauma in