Domestic Violence: Battered Women Who Kill
Abstract
The high prevalence of domestic violence within American society indicates a problem of serious dimensions. Spouse abuse has become the norm rather than the exception due to antiquated concepts of roles in marriage and in many cases, little regard for women's rights. Despite legal precedent and protective statutes against assault, domestic abuse cases are seldom prosecuted, unless someone is seriously injured or killed. Many battered women are discouraged against pressing charges against their abusers and continue to participate in a violent marital relationship. Others decide the only solution to ending the violence is murdering their abusive partner. The purpose of this study is to address the issues and controversies associated with battered women, with particular emphasis on battered women who kill their spouses after prolonged and repetitive periods of physical, emotional or psychological abuse. The study focuses on the perceptions commonly held by various members of the behavioral and social science professions, criminal justice practitioners and the media, of the battered woman who kills, and how these perceptions impact her treatment within the criminal justice system. It is hoped that this study will act as a catalyst for changing these perceptions, and increase both the availability of support services for battered women, as well as non-criminal justice alternatives to society's domestic violence problems in the future.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 15, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA208543
Entities
People
- Mickey D. Cockerill
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology