NCJ Number
101180
Journal
Victimology Volume: 10 Issue: 1-4 Dated: (1985) Pages: 281-300
Date Published
1985
Length
20 pages
Annotation
The empirical and clinical research literature conducted during the past ten years on the psychological impact of domestic violence is reviewed for its application to the expected reaction of battered women to the criminalization of their abuse.
Abstract
It has been found that the victims experience severe situational stress reactions which can be diagnosed as a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, subcategory, Battered Woman Syndrome. High levels of anxiety, fears and panic attacks, depression, and other clinical symptoms are visible including a hypervigilance to cues of further impending violence. Individual acute battering incidents are spontaneously mentally reexperienced, usually when exposed to a familiar stimulus. The process of learned helplessness which occurs when there is a noncontingency between a response and the expected outcome, as typically occurs during the three phase battering cycle, can be measured using empirically determined factors. Traditional psychometic measures are inadequate to assess the psychological impact of living with violence. It is suggested that battered women will benefit from the new mandatory arrest upon probable cause procedures adopted by police departments if there is follow through with arrests and prosecutions. Post-adjudicated diversion treatment programs for the abusers may have a beneficial impact for the victim also. A research project to evaluate the Denver, Colorado program is discussed as are other research suggestions. (Author abstract)