n. a psychological condition which results from severe and repeated acts of domestic violence. Not all battered women suffer from BWS, but those who do show signs of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The syndrome is closely identified with learned helplessness wherein a battered woman feels powerless against the abusive spouse. See battered women- also cycle of violence.
BATTERED-WOMAN SYNDROME (BWS): “It is impossible to just cope with the Battered-Woman Syndrome (BWS) because, unless it stops for good, the cycle of abuse continues.”