battered woman syndrome

battered woman syndrome
Psychological and behavioral pattern displayed by female victims of domestic violence.

Explanations that have evolved since the late 1970s include learned helplessness, a "cycle of violence" theory, and a form of post-traumatic stress disorder. The term is a legal concept rather than a psychiatric diagnosis and lacks clearly defined criteria. It has been used to support legal arguments of self-defense, diminished responsibility, or insanity when a woman is accused of murdering or assaulting her batterer, committing a crime under his coercion, or provoking the behaviour the batterer is on trial for. Critics say the term creates a stereotyped image inadequate to describe individual experiences.

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      Psychological and behavioral pattern displayed by female victims of domestic violence. Explanations that have evolved since the late 1970s include learned helplessness, a “cycle of violence” theory, and a form of post-traumatic stress disorder. The term is a legal concept rather than a psychiatric diagnosis and lacks clearly defined criteria. It has been used to support legal arguments of self-defense, diminished responsibility, or insanity when a woman is accused of murdering or assaulting her batterer, committing a crime under his coercion, or provoking the behaviour the batterer is on trial for. Critics say the term creates a stereotyped image inadequate to describe individual experiences.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • battered woman syndrome — See battered person syndrome. Webster s New World Law Dictionary. Susan Ellis Wild. 2000 …   Law dictionary

  • battered-woman syndrome — See battered person syndrome. Webster s New World Law Dictionary. Susan Ellis Wild. 2000 …   Law dictionary

  • battered woman syndrome — battered wom·an syndrome wu̇ mən , wō , wə also battered wom·an s syndrome mənz n the highly variable symptom complex of physical and psychological injuries exhibited by a woman repeatedly abused esp. physically by her mate called also battered… …   Medical dictionary

  • battered woman syndrome — noun Date: 1984 the highly variable symptom complex of physical and psychological injuries exhibited by a woman repeatedly abused especially physically by her mate called also battered woman s syndrome, battered wife syndrome, battered women s… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • battered woman syndrome — noun also battered woman s syndrome or battered wife syndrome or battered women s syndrome : the highly variable symptom complex of physical and psychological injuries exhibited by a woman repeatedly abused especially physically by her mate …   Useful english dictionary

  • battered-person syndrome — n. The medical and psychological condition of a person who has suffered (usually persistent) emotional, physical, or sexual abuse from another person. Also called battered child syndrome or battered woman syndrome depending on the circumstances.… …   Law dictionary

  • battered person syndrome — n. The medical and psychological condition of a person who has suffered (usually persistent) emotional, physical, or sexual abuse from another person. Also called battered child syndrome or battered woman syndrome depending on the circumstances.… …   Law dictionary

  • Battered person syndrome — DiseaseDisorder infobox Name = Battered person syndrome ICD10 = ICD10|T|74|1|t|66 ICD9 = ICD9|995.81 Battered person syndrome is a physical and psychological condition that is classified as ICD 9 code ICD9|995.81 Battered person syndrome NEC or… …   Wikipedia

  • battered wife syndrome — noun see battered woman syndrome …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • battered wife syndrome — noun see battered woman syndrome …   Useful english dictionary

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