Type:	Journal Article
Title:	Battered women and bad science: the limited validity and utility of battered woman syndrome
Other Titles:	Psychiatry, Psychology and Law
Authors:	McMahon, Marilyn
Keywords:	Theories of violence;Legal issues
Year:	1999
Publisher:	Australian Academic Press : Samford Valley
Citation:	6 (1), April 1999
Notes:	Outlines the key elements of Lenore Walker’s ‘battered woman syndrome’, explaining how the construct has been used in Australian legal and clinical contexts before addressing some of the major methodological and conceptual flaws in Walker’s research. The forensic use of battered woman syndrome in criminal cases is also discussed and some recent Australian cases in which the theory has been applied are used to illustrate the potential dangers of generalising Walkers findings across groups not included in her study, such as homosexual defendants and children. Concludes by challenging the necessity of expert testimony on battered woman syndrome and its utility as a mechanism for disabusing jury members of myths and stereotypes associated with domestic violence.
URI:	https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/13576
ISSN:	1321-8719
Appears in Collections:	Journal Articles

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