General Characteristics of Battered Woman Syndrome

Battered Woman Syndrome An estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year. A surfacing psychological condition known as Battered Woman Syndrome (BWS), develops after experiencing physical and emotional abuse over an extended period of time. BWS has been subcategorized as a form of post-traumatic stress disorder, proving that it is indeed, a very serious and severe condition. Battered Woman Syndrome causes severe, emotional and psychological trauma in women after prolonged abuse in an intimate relationship; the number of Battered Woman cases in America is rising each year and it is necessary that more attention be brought to its significance as well as the victims being effected. More†¦show more content†¦Women stay because sometimes, they have nowhere left to go. She stays because she believes that maybe, the man she once loved will stop the abuse. Women stay in these abusive relationships because they are trapped and they are helpless. The question is not why do these women stay, but why do these men feel the obligation and audacity to batter them. Even when the cycle of abuse seems endless, however, there are ways to help and treat a victim of domestic violence or more so, a battered woman. First of all, safety must be established. For a battered woman, even hinting towards divorce or a break-up with the batterer can be the most unsafe time. Secondly, a treatment plan and or trauma therapy should be considered to ensure a safe recovery for the victim of abuse. Therapy can be a very powerful tool in helping victims heal after abuse. The therapy addresses the fear and guilt that the victim feels as well as helping to mend difficult relationships and unhealthy behaviors that develop. Trauma therapy helps a victim move pass her abusive experiences and helps her understand that the psychological effects of the abuse are normal and can, very well, be treated. A battered woman’s symptoms after abuse are referred to as traumatic triggers: typical trauma triggers include the memory of the way the batterer’s face or eyes look when heShow MoreRelatedBattered Woman Syndrome And The National Institute Of Justice1585 Words   |  7 Pagesher lifetime (Battered Woman Syndrome, 2012). This type of abuse can be fatal and detrimental to one’s personal growth. When woman are repeatedly abused, they show different signs, symptoms and general characteristics. These characterist ics are defined as Battered Woman Syndrome. Battered Woman Syndrome, or BTS, was a theory that was developed in the 1970’s (Battered Woman Syndrome, 2010). As stated before, BTS is the signs, symptoms, and general characteristics of battered woman. 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