FOUR PSYCHOLOGICAL STAGES OF
THE BATTERED WOMAN SYNDROME |
| DENIAL |
The woman refuses to admit--even to herself--that she
has been beaten or that there is a "problem" in her marriage. She may
call each incident an "accident". She offers excuses for her husband's
violence and each time firmly believes it will never happen again.
|
| GUILT |
She now acknowledges there is a problem, but considers
herself responsible for it. She "deserves" to be beaten, she feels, because
she has defects in her character and is not living up to her husband's
expectations.
|
| ENLIGHTENMENT |
The woman no longer assumes responsibility for her husband's
abusive treatment, recognizing that no one "deserves" to be beaten. She is
still committed to her marriage, though, and stays with her husband, hoping
they can work things out.
|
| RESPONSIBILITY |
Accepting the fact that her husband will not, or can not,
stop his violent behavior, the battered woman decides she will no longer
submit to it and starts a new life.
|
