ttered women's syndrome on the women who wrongfully use the theory to support their defenses. They believe that the women who are suffering from battered women's syndrome are loosing support, because of those who are not justified in using the concept (Hilton pg. 138). Other critics of BWS have singled out certain psychologists and social scientists. Dr. Walker, the renowned psychologist mentioned above, has been heavily criticized for representing nearly any woman in need of expert testimony. Dr. Walker stated, "It is clear from the rest of her story that Paul had been battering her by ignoring her and by working late" (as qtd. in Hilton pg. 147). Statements like these undermine the BWS theory and give people false notions to what the syndrome is actually about. These critics also include battered women advocates who are unhappy with the way battered women are being portrayed. Battered woman advocate Patti Seeger stated, "What I don't like about BWS is that it is tied to 'learned helplessness.' I disagree totally with this theory. Rather than being helpless, battered women adopt survival skills" (as qtd. in Hilton pg. 138). This quote, although surprising, shows the frustration and tension that is going on between BWS advocates. Maybe the reason why those in society are unwilling to accept the BWS theory is because those who support it can not even agree on what the concept should entail. CONCLUSIONAfter conducting an extensive review on battered women's syndrome, I have concluded that the acceptance of this syndrome by our criminal law depends upon three issues. The first issue pertains to how society views this complex syndrome. Many people claim that they know all about BWS and that it is just another way for women to avoid culpability. Others believe that BWS is a defense in itself. BWS has been seriously affected, because of the general part of our society that has not yet been educated on the facts of the syndro...
