The Battered Woman Syndrome (Springer Series: Focus on Women)

With its focus on the connection between health and mental health symptoms, this seminal, groundbreaking work continues to forge new directions in the field of domestic violence. Describing a condition that is the basis for the battered woman defense--cited in cases of physically and psychologically abused women who have killed their abusers--it continues to be used as a defense to explain premeditated assault or murder. It examines new research regarding battered women and cross-cultural and cross-national issues, and includes several new chapters addressing issues ranging from murder--suicide in domestic violence cases to proposed legislation and congressional resolutions In this new edition of her groundbreaking book, Dr. Lenore Walker has provided a through update to her original findings in the field of domestic abuse. Each chapter has been expanded to include new research. The volume contains the latest on: the impact of exposure to violence on children, marital rape, child abuse, personality characteristics of different types of batterers, new psychotherapy models for batterers and their victims, and more. Walker also speaks out on her handling of the O.J. Simpson trial and how he does not fit the empirical data known for domestic violence. This volume should be required reading for all professionals in the field of domestic abuse.

The book contains black-and-white illustrations.

Contents Preface Acknowledgments INTRODUCTION TO THE RESEARCH STUDY THE BATTERED WOMAN SYNDROME Overview of the Battered Woman Syndrome Psychosocial Characteristics of Battered Women, Batterers, and Nonbatterers The Lethal Potential Sexual Issuesfor Battered WomenThe Impact of Violencein the Homeon Children Violence, Alcoholand Drug Use THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES Learned Helplessnessand Battered Women Walker CycleTheory of Violence IMPLICATIONS FORA VIOLENCE-FREEFUTURE Psychotherapeutic Responses toChanging Violent Relationships Legal Responses to Changing Violent Behavior CONCLUSIONS APPENDIXES Sample Selection Procedures Staff Selection and Training The Interview Standardized Scales Data Analysis REFERENCES INDEX