Understanding Battered Women Syndrome

Hello there! Today, we’ll be discussing Battered Women Syndrome and what navigating through this kind of trauma may look like. It's important to remember that the information provided here should not be taken as medical, legal, or therapeutic advice. Everyone's journey through stress or trauma is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to healing. Experiencing abuse in any form is never okay, and your experiences and feelings are completely valid. Healing is a personal process, and only you can define what that looks like for you. Remember to prioritize your own needs and well-being. If you need more resources or someone to talk to, please reach out to Imaara Foundation.

Written by: Dr. Swetha Talluri

What is Battered Women Syndrome (BWS)?

Battered Woman Syndrome (BWS) is a significant health challenge that affects many women worldwide, trapping them in cycles of violence and terror. It is crucial to shed light on this topic to raise awareness, understanding, and support for those who are suffering.

In the 1970s, psychologist Lenore Walker coined the term "Battered Woman Syndrome" (BWS), often referred to as "Intimate Partner Violence" (IPV) syndrome. It encompasses a range of behavioral and psychological signs frequently seen in women who have experienced prolonged domestic abuse.

What does BWS look like?

Battered Woman Syndrome is a complex condition caused by long-term emotional, physical, and psychological violence.

Examples of emotional or psychological violence include:

• verbal abuse

• control

• domination

• mockery

• isolation

• and the exploitation of personal information for denigration.

These actions target the survivor's emotional and psychological health and often precede physical abuse.

Some physical behaviors can also be classified as emotional abuse due to their aggressive nature. Examples include:

• throwing objects

• kicking walls

• slapping the survivor with fingers or fist

• driving recklessly while the survivor is in the car

• and making threats to damage valuables (Karakurt & Silver, 2013).

Physical violence, another form of abuse associated with Battered Woman Syndrome, involves physically harming the survivor through actions such as slapping, burning, beating, or similar acts (MediLexicon International, 2022).

What does the 'Cycle of Violence' look like according to Walker's research?

Walker’s groundbreaking research from 1979 describes the cycle of violence and abuse that can be difficult to escape. It explains the pattern of abuse and violence that frequently traps survivors in abusive relationships. The three phases of the cycle are:

• Phase I – the tension-building phase

• Phase II – the acute battering period

• and Phase III – the honeymoon phase

For instance, the well-known Indian author Meena Kandasamy's autobiographical novel "When I Hit You" draws parallels between her personal experiences and Lenore Walker’s Cycle of Violence theory, which explains why women become survivors of violence and the strategies abusers use to control their survivors within a closed space.

What is the 'Tension Building Phase' in the Cycle of Violence described by Walker?

Phase I: Walker characterizes the Tension Building Phase as a progressive increase in verbal and mild physical violence in the relationship. When the abuser displays displeasure, the survivor often takes responsibility for the abuse and alters their behavior to placate the abuser. There is an increase in violence during this phase, which can last from a few days to several months. In Meena Kandasamy's abusive relationship with her husband, this phase began early in their marriage due to his rigid restrictions, verbal and physical abuse, and use of various weapons for control. She tried to calm him down, but the tension kept rising, eventually leading to the next phase of severe violence (Sangeetha et al., 2022).

What is the 'The Acute Battering Phase' in the Cycle of Violence described by Walker?

Phase II: The Acute Battering Phase is characterized by the uncontrollable release of tension from the preceding phase. The abuser exhibits tremendous aggression, endangering the survivor and causing injuries. This stage involves extreme emotional, sexual, and physical abuse, as well as violent outbursts from the abuser. Meena Kandasamy's account illustrates how her husband's violence escalated to a dangerous level, resulting in the destruction of her possessions, public humiliation, and severe physical and sexual assault. At this stage, the survivor often seeks help and may even attempt to leave the abusive relationship, as the risk becomes too great to ignore (Sangeetha et al., 2022).

What is the 'The Honeymoon Phase' in the Cycle of Violence described by Walker?

Phase III: Finally, during the Honeymoon Phase, the abuser will express sincere regret, offer the survivor numerous gifts, and promise that the violent behavior will not occur again. Despite the survivor's belief in the abuser and hope for a better relationship, the cycle of violence eventually repeats (Sangeetha et al., 2022).

In conclusion, Walker's study on the cycle of abuse emphasizes the difficulty survivor's face in leaving abusive relationships due to the complex dynamics of the cycle. Meena Kandasamy's experience exemplifies the widespread patterns of abuse that many women endure worldwide, highlighting the importance of understanding and identifying the stages of the cycle to help survivor's seek assistance and escape harmful environments (Sangeetha et al., 2022).

Understanding the development of Battered Woman Syndrome is essential to addressing the specific challenges survivors face in India, where cultural norms play a significant role.

What is the prevalence of BWS in India?

In India, 32% of married women reported experiencing physical, sexual, or emotional abuse from their spouses at some point in their lives. Physical violence is the most prevalent form of marital violence in India (28%), followed by emotional (14%) and sexual (6%). Additionally, research indicates that 38-50% of all killings committed by women's partners result from intimate partner violence (IPV) (Chandra et al., 2023).

Childhood exposure to domestic violence has been identified as a potential risk factor for the development of Battered Woman Syndrome (BWS). Such experiences may increase the likelihood of individuals developing BWS later in life (The Amikus Qriae, 2023). Understanding the causes of BWS is crucial for effectively addressing the issue and providing appropriate assistance to survivors.

What factors cause BWS?

Intimate partner violence (IPV) rates among sexual minority women (SMW), such as lesbians, bisexuals, queer individuals, those engaging in same-sex sexual behaviors, or experiencing same-sex attraction, are comparable to or higher than those among heterosexuals. Generally, risk factors for sexual minorities tend to align with those for heterosexuals, including alcoholism, power imbalances, dependence, and jealousy.

However, the likelihood of IPV among SMW is also influenced by sexual minority-specific variables such as stigma, discrimination, internalized homophobia (IH), and sexual identity concealment, which may vary by subpopulation. SMW experience a range of adverse mental health consequences, including stress, sadness, anxiety, alcohol and substance abuse, and difficulty regulating emotions. They also face inferior physical and sexual health due to IPV (Porsch et al., 2022).

Additionally, risk factors for males engaging in IPV among heterosexuals include smoking, drinking, having more female offspring, a wife-beating mentality, and unemployment. The preference for sons, deeply rooted in patriarchal cultural and religious notions prevalent in India and other Asian countries, contributes to this risk factor. Women face significant cultural and familial pressure to bear male children, with failure to do so often resulting in threats or acts of violence, or desertion in their marriages. Women may undergo multiple pregnancies until they give birth to a son, putting their health at risk (ICRW, 2016). Wife-beating, often viewed as physical punishment by husbands for disciplining errant wives, is another form of IPV stemming from patriarchal beliefs that women are their husbands' property (Pradhan & De, 2024).

Men's socioeconomic and religious backgrounds, as well as their geographical location (rural/urban), significantly influence their perpetration of IPV (Chandra et al., 2023). Childhood exposure to domestic abuse is recognized as a possible antecedent of Battered Woman Syndrome (BWS) (Roberts, 1996). India's unique cultural background, characterized by collectivistic values emphasizing interdependence and social cohesiveness (Chadda, 2013), contributes to the persistence of violent relationships. Various customs and etiquette-related activities embedded in India's cultural heritage (Scroope, 2018) shape family dynamics and societal expectations, perpetuating IPV. The cultural expectation of personal space discourages intimate behavior, potentially reinforcing IPV by establishing boundaries and deterring physical aggression (DiSilvestro, 2017).

Gender roles in Indian society remain traditional, with men generally adhering more strongly to traditional views than women (Evans et al., 2022). The social norm expecting women to treat their husbands like gods and submit to them contributes to power imbalances and potentially violent partnerships (Garg et al., 2021). Moreover, India's diversity in ethnicity, language, geography, economy, religion, class, and caste further complicates social relationships and expectations, influencing perceptions of violence and the duration of IPV.

What effects does BWS have on women?

BWS has far-reaching implications for survivors, both physically and emotionally. Survivors may experience symptoms such as anxiety, despair, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Stark, 1970). These psychological consequences might manifest in physical health difficulties, including chronic pain, drug abuse, and a higher susceptibility to various diseases (APA, 2012). The cumulative effect often leads to a diminished sense of self-worth and self-efficacy, reflecting the specific challenges that Indian women face (Roberts, 1998).

What legal measures are in place to address BWS in India?

Understanding BWS is critical in India's legal system, particularly when survivors face legal implications for self-defense. The 2013 case of Manju Lakra v. State of Assam set a precedent for future legal cases in India and made Battered Woman Syndrome (BWS) a crucial concept. The court acknowledged that Manju Lakra and other survivors of domestic abuse may reach a breaking point when they feel compelled to take drastic measures to defend themselves or put an end to the abuse. In this instance, the court determined that Manju's actions—which ultimately resulted in her husband's death during a violent altercation—were the result of years of abuse and hatred. Instead of being found guilty of murder, she was found guilty of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, acknowledging that her intention was to protect herself and put an end to the violence rather than to kill him (Youth Ki Awaaz, 2021).

This case emphasizes the importance of judges taking into account the psychological toll that prolonged abuse takes on survivors when assessing their behavior. It also establishes a precedent for the use of BWS in situations where survivors defend themselves by harming their abusers or others, whether directly or indirectly (Youth Ki Awaaz, 2021).

The concept of the "battered women's defense" recognizes the unique circumstances surrounding survivors who resort to violence as a form of defense. Legal scholars have long argued for the acceptance of this defense in situations where survivors have been driven to the edge by chronic abuse (Roberts, 1998).

Want the references for this article?

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Chadda, R., & Deb, K. (2013). Indian family systems, Collectivistic Society and psychotherapy. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 55(6), 299. https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5545.105555

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The Amikus Qriae. (2023, June 27). Battered women syndrome in India: A review of recent development and the need for judicial reform. Retrieved from https://theamikusqriae.com/battered-women-syndrome-in-india-a-review-of-recent-development-and-the-need-for-judicial-reform/

Youth Ki Awaaz. (2021, February 6). How the Indian legal system fails survivors of domestic violence. Retrieved from https://www

Battered Women Syndrome is a significant problem that requires a comprehensive and compassionate approach. Addressing Battered Women Syndrome will involve a collaborative effort from society, support networks, and healthcare providers. Society can help break the cycle of violence and enable survivors to reclaim their lives by recognizing the various factors that contribute to BWS, raising awareness, and establishing robust support networks.