Define: Battered-Woman Syndrome

Battered-woman syndrome, also referred to as battered-wife syndrome or battered-spouse syndrome, is a condition that impacts women who have endured physical, sexual, or emotional abuse from their partner. Initially identified in the 1970s, it involves a three-stage cycle of violence: tension-building, acute battering, and loving-contrition. This syndrome is occasionally utilised as a defence for women who have taken the life of their abuser.

Battered-woman syndrome is a condition that impacts women who have experienced physical, sexual, or emotional abuse from their spouse or partner. Dr. Lenore Walker first identified this syndrome in the 1970s, and it is characterized by a three-stage cycle of violence. The first stage is the tension-building stage, which may involve verbal and mild physical abuse. During this stage, the victim may feel like they are constantly walking on eggshells due to the abuser’s increasing irritability. The second stage is the acute battering stage, which includes more severe verbal abuse, escalated physical violence, and potentially sexual abuse. In this stage, the victim may feel trapped and helpless. The final stage is the loving-contrition stage, where the abuser shows remorse, kindness, and may give gifts. During this stage, the victim may feel hopeful that the abuse will cease and believe that the abuser genuinely loves them. Battered-woman syndrome is sometimes used as a defence to explain or lessen a woman’s act of killing a man. For instance, if a woman kills her abusive partner in self-defence, she may argue that she was suffering from battered-woman syndrome and feared for her life. The case of Francine Hughes, who killed her abusive husband in 1977 after enduring years of physical and emotional abuse, serves as an example of battered-woman syndrome. This story was later adapted into a movie called “The Burning Bed.” Another example is the case of Marissa Alexander, who fired a warning shot at her abusive husband in 2010 and received a 20-year prison sentence. However, her sentence was later reduced after she argued that she acted in self-defence due to battered-woman syndrome. These instances demonstrate how battered-woman syndrome can influence a woman’s actions and decision-making within abusive relationships. It is crucial for abuse victims to seek assistance and support in order to break the cycle of violence and safeguard themselves from harm.

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This glossary post was last updated: 17th April 2024.