Regarded as a
psychological disorder especially on legal proceedings, the Battered Woman
Syndrome is a theory developed in 1970 by psychologist Lenore Walker, and is
associated with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD.
This mental health
disorder develops on a woman who is a victim of abuse and has developed a “learned
helplessness” or the mind-set that she cannot fight and get out of the abusive
relationship.
Most often, the victim
will want to stay with her abuser in hopes that she won’t be abused again,
continually strengthening her syndrome. The woman deliberately denies the act
of violence perpetrated by her partner and simply dismisses it as something
inevitable. She’ll eventually reconsider and conclude that there’s a problem
but will blame herself for it. This is a dangerous disorder that puts a woman’s
life and everyone around her at risk.
Las Vegas ranks as one
of the top cities with a staggering rate of domestic violence in which a woman
was killed, largely due to the syndrome. So the community, which is composed
primarily of medical specialists and attorneys, is doing its best to help
victims overcome Battered Woman Syndrome.
The Cycle
A Battered Woman Syndrome is formed
due to the actions carried out both by the woman and her abuser. Basically, it
starts with an abuser performing diminutive deeds that eventually escalate to a
full-fledged act of violence that can be physical, emotional, or psychological
in form. When the tension calms down, the abuser goes on great lengths to atone
for the act. The woman eventually forgives her abuser and the cycle starts
again.
Simply put, due to the perpetual
cycle, the woman creates a wrong viewpoint that the abuse is only natural and as
usual, things will be amended. Victims of abuse also build up guilt, believing that
they’re at fault, prompting them to be passive about the abuse and accept it a
sign of their penance.
Diagnosing a Battered Woman Syndrome
There are many ways to spot a woman
who is a victim of abuse and experiences the Battered Woman Syndrome. One clear
sign is depression, however this can be easily concealed. Another sign which is
easier to spot is the agitation of the woman with a Battered Woman Syndrome when
her abusive partner is around. Women with Battered Woman Syndrome also usually
turn to alcohol or other types of substance abuse for means of subconscious
escape.
If you suspect that someone is
experiencing a Battered Woman Syndrome, talk to them without the presence of
the supposed abuser. If she takes the blame for the whole act or if she
believes that nothing is going to help her from her abuser, then she most
certainly is experiencing the Battered Woman Syndrome.
When in front of professional help,
a woman with Battered Woman Syndrome needs to be assured by the prober that she
isn’t at fault no matter what she did to provoke her abuser, and that it’s for
her own self-preservation if she ever struck back. Additionally, there should
be certain boundaries that need to be set, like not covering sensitive
questions or not touching the woman at all.
Battered Woman Syndrome and the Law
The law recognizes Battered Woman
Syndrome as a defense that can be used in court for women who were harmed or
killed their abusers. The syndrome can help establish mitigating circumstances
such as self-defense, provocation, insanity, and diminished responsibility.
There are numerous organizations
that offer help for women with the syndrome, while the law enforcement is also
on high alert regarding it. Therapy and case progress will help someone with a
Battered Woman Syndrome get better.
