Batter Women Syndrome- Domestic Violence Essay - 1097 Words

A justice-related issue that I see relevant to our society today is in relation to women who suffer from domestic violence/ battering. Batter Women Syndrome (BWS) has recently been reformed in the United States as the Batter Person Syndrome (BPS) to include men as potential victims of domestic violence/ batter. The term batter person syndrome has been recognized as a social issue and legal changes have taken place in the United States in order to protect individuals affected by domestic violence/ battering. My overall goal for this essay is to remind people of the historical origins behind this social issue, the advancements that have been made by our society in the legal system, and to suggest policy changes to improve the legal†¦show more content†¦What sets Francine Hughes as an important figure for obtaining awareness to domestic violence was the requesting to introduce expert Batter Women Testimony (BWT) in her court case. In 1984 Francine Hughes was acquitted from all charges when the defendant plead insanity defense at the time the act was committed. Due to domestic violence killing cases became more aware, the court decided that three general principles need to meet when the victimization took place. One: there was an imminence weapon (a weapon is of plain sight and the reaction must be an immediate one). Two: sufficient harm (prior acts of victimization had been occurring), three: reasonable (women or men should fear for their life and therefore in this act).In 2001 California made the changed of BWS to BPS where men can report battering and testify in court as experts witness. The changes made have in 2001 included the possibility of being charged with 1st degree man slaughter if the act committed was not justifiable. In present time we have seen a greater acceptance towards the fight against domestic violence/ battering. In 1994 congress passed The Violence against Women Act (VAWA). The Act provided $1.6 billion toward investigation and prosecution of violent crimes against women. The Department of Justice created the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) as a way to decrease the nation victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexualShow MoreRelatedBattered Women Syndrome1311 Words   |  6 PagesDomestic violence is often perceived as males projecting physical abuse to female victims which overlooks the psychological abuse that they also experience (Carlson and Worden, 2005). Jill is a domestic violence survivor who filed a restraining order against her husband. Jill remained with her husband despite being abused because she felt threatened to leave the relationship. Her behavior triggered battered-women syndrome. 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