Type:	Journal Article
Title:	Understanding battered woman syndrome
Other Titles:	Trial
Authors:	Walker, Lenore E
Keywords:	Legal issues;Theories of violence;Mental health
Year:	1995
Publisher:	Public Affairs & Education Committee of the American Trial Lawyers Association
Citation:	31 (2), February 1995
Notes:	Provides a definition of the battered woman syndrome and explains how it has been used by courts and mental health practitioners in the US to explain the behavioural, emotional and cognitive responses of battered women. Key facets of the construct, such as the theory of learned helplessness and the ‘fight or flight’ response, are described and the various ways in which such concepts can be utilized by attorneys to assist women who have experienced domestic violence are explored. Some guidelines for legal professionals seeking to have a psychological evaluation performed on a client are then provided and it is suggested that in selecting an expert to testify at trial, counsel should endeavour to find one that can explain the psychological sequelae of BWS in simple, non-psychological language.
URI:	https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/12212
ISSN:	0041-2538
Appears in Collections:	Journal Articles

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