The Defense for Women Who Kill Their Batterers
  • The Objective
  • Factors That Contribtue to Homicide in Relationships
    • Battered Woman Syndrome
    • Cycle of Violence
    • Self-Defense
  • Case By Case Review
    • Rose Parker
    • Lorie Hino-Boddie
    • Henrietta Briones
    • Barbara Seehan
    • Donna Williams
    • Andrea Yates
  • Domestic Violence Resources

Definition of Self -Defense

In Criminal Law, self defense is defined as "an affirmative defense (e.g., to a murder charge) alleging that the defendant used serious force necessarily for self-protection. The claim of self-defense must normally rely on a reasonable belief that the other party intended to inflict great bodily harm or death and that avoidance by retreating was impossible." However , there are arugments as to the the disparity women face when using this term. Wimberly (2007) agrues that A woman who defends herself against a man's violence is either criminal or crazy" (p.6). Criminal Law has limitilations in taking into account the circumstances of battered women. This is unfortunately true. Here is  an example of self-defense not being benefical toward women:

The circumstances that happened in this case are very unfortunate!!!

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