NCJ Number
151351
Journal
Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics and Public Policy Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Dated: (1992) Pages: 321-334
Date Published
1992
Length
14 pages
Annotation
The battered woman syndrome is discussed.
Abstract
This article explores the application of psychological theory to the battered woman syndrome and the battered woman self-defense defense. The battered woman self-defense defense has been introduced by attorneys on behalf of clients to demonstrate to the judge and jury that living in domestic violence has such a major impact on a woman's state of mind that it could make an act of homicide justifiable, even when the first look at the facts does not appear to be traditional confrontational self-defense. To get to this point, there has been general acceptance of expert witness testimony in the trial courts, usually by psychologists trained in the understanding of the psychology of battered women and the effects on someone's state of mind from being an abuse victim. Included in the article is a discussion of the dynamics of battering relationships. Footnotes