battered woman syndrome (redirected from Battered woman defence)

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.