BWS

The dynamics of family violence are complex and often produce myriad physical and psychological problems that resonate long after the violence subsides. The Battered Woman Syndrome (BWS), created by Lenore Walker in the 1970s, has been used to describe a cluster of symptoms associated with many victims of family violence. BWS is considered a subset of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and is admissible in the majority of state courts. BWS is often used as a defense for women who have killed their spouses or partners in response to long-term abuse.

In this Discussion, you will select a case from the headlines in which the BWS defense was used. You will consider its effectiveness within the case and if it should be used as a defense in general.

Summarize the case that you found where BWS was used as a defense. Explain how the defense and evidence were presented.

Was the defense successful or not? In your opinion, was the case presented effectively, or did it contain shortcomings?

Now that you have researched a case where the BWS defense was used, do you think that it is a valid defense strategy or not? Do you think that the attorneys in a future case should consider using this strategy? Support your response with appropriate references.