Battered Woman Syndrome As A Defense - 852 Words

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 â€Å"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 â€Å"Battered Woman Syndrome† as a valid defence after killing their abusive spouse. According to the Domestic Abuse Shelter, â€Å"In today s society, Batteringâ€Å" is the single major cause of injury to women, exceeding rapes, muggings and auto accidents combined (Domestic Abuse Shelter - A New Beginning). In multiple cases, death threats have been made, causing victims to believe they are on their own without help from our justice system. This leads to victims finally standing up to their abuser and putting an end to the years of suffering. Victims who commit this crime truly believe death is the only way to end this abuse. Spousal Abuse Men Vs. Woman and the Stereotypes Spousal abuse of men is underestimated in today s society. Men are perceived as ‘tough and strong and able to protect themselves. When a male contacts the authorities, they are not taken seriously or ridiculed for not being able to ‘handle’ their intimate partner whereas more emphasis is placed on spousal abuse of women due to the perception of them as vulnerable in society. Men often dominate woman with brutal force. FemaleShow MoreRelatedBattered Woman Syndrome : The Perfect Defense Or Perfect Murder?1652 Words   |  7 PagesBattered 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 thatRead MoreBattered Woman Syndrome: Self-Defense Plea Essay1493 Words   |  6 Pagescases where self- defense has been used as a plea where the victim felt they were in harms’ way or unable to escape a specific situation that ended badly. The definition for self- defense is: 1. Defense of oneself when physically attacked 2. Defense of what belongs to oneself, as ones work or reputation 3. (Law) the right to protect oneself against violence or threatened violence with whatever force or means reasonable or necessary. According to an expe rt on battered women, a woman must experienceRead 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 MoreBattered Women’s Syndrome Plea and a Defendants Financial Dependence: Evaluating Legal Decisions1383 Words   |  6 PagesWhen 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. ToRead MoreSuffering with Battered Woman Syndrome 724 Words   |  3 Pagesthat suffer from â€Å"battered womans syndrome† be charged with murder for killing there abuser? â€Å"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 â€Å"battered women syndrome† should be used asRead 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 inRead MoreLavallees Case805 Words   |  4 Pages Criminal Law What principles with respect to women battering and self-defense have been established in Lavallees case? Most of the case law involving female offenders depend on the Supreme Court of Canadas verdict in Lavallee, which accepted proof that an offender had encountered violence elicited by the victim, , Battered Woman Syndrome (BWS), as applicable to the problem of self-defense. In the Lavallee case, proof was disclosed demonstrating that the offender had been exposed to years ofRead MoreBattered Woman Syndrome And The National Institute Of Justice1585 Words   |  7 Pagesher 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. Battered Woman Syndrome, or BTS, was a theory that was developed in the 1970’s (Battered Woman Syndrome, 2010). As stated before, BTS is the signs, symptoms, and general characteristics of battered woman. According to DrRead MoreJustice For The Beaten Down Victims Of Murder925 Words   |  4 PagesJustice For The Beaten Down Victims of Murder â€Å"Every 9 seconds in the United States a woman is assaulted or beaten† (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence). With that statistic there are roughly 9,600 chances every single day in just the United States alone that a woman could be killed at the hands of her abuser. At what point in killing an abusive husband in self-defense cross the line and become murder worthy of punishment? Is it after you finally shoot your alcoholic, abusive husband toRead MoreDomestic Violence and What It Takes to Break Free1301 Words   |  5 Pagesdevelop Battered Woman Syndrome, a mental illness that should not condemn them to a life in prison; but instead, should alert us to help them become part of our society once again through treatment. They should not be labeled cold blooded murderers for wanting the freedom that is promised by the government in the thirteenth amendment. Battered Woman Syndrome (BWS) was first proposed in the 1970’s based upon Dr. Lenore E. A. Walker’s findings. Dr. Walker who is recognized as the â€Å"mother of Battered Woman