{"id":351802,"date":"2016-04-04T11:02:35","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:02:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/family\/domestic-violence\/battered-women-s-syndrome.html"},"modified":"2025-05-16T15:43:01","modified_gmt":"2025-05-16T20:43:01","slug":"battered-women-s-syndrome","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/domestic-violence\/battered-women-s-syndrome.html","title":{"rendered":"Battered Woman Syndrome"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

Battered Woman Syndrome<\/h1>\n
\n
\n By Lyle Therese A. Hilotin-Lee, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

\n
\n
\n

Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Battered Woman Syndrome is a psychological condition resulting from severe domestic violence, primarily (but not always) affecting women. It involves symptoms like learned helplessness, flashbacks, and anxiety, often leading victims to believe they cannot escape their abusive situations. In the legal context, it typically is discussed as a defense in cases where domestic violence survivors face criminal charges for assaulting or killing their abuser.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cBattered woman syndrome\u201d (BWS) is a term used to describe the psychological impact of domestic violence, specifically on women. This term aimed to describe behaviors caused by the trauma of living with a violent partner. However, anyone can become a victim of domestic violence. As a result, the terms used to describe its effect have evolved.<\/p>\r\n

Battered woman syndrome, now generally called \u201cbattered partner syndrome\u201d or \u201cbattered person syndrome,\u201d often comes up in cases involving domestic violence and self-defense. Domestic violence is also sometimes referred to as \u201cintimate partner violence\u201d or IPV.<\/p>\r\n

This article discusses:<\/p>\r\n