The Battered Woman

by Lenore E. Walker

"A major contribution to this subject. She is thorough, practical, compassionate, and authoritative. It is a reading must."--Phyllis Chesler

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published April 30, 1980

About the author

Lenore E. Walker

Reviews

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was surprised that the book was an update of previous research with additions of recent research. I didn't expect such a scholarly approach. However, the reading was not hard. I learned many things, including the meaning of learned helplessness, the definition of The Battered Woman Syndrome, and what the difference is between a victim and a survivor. I am a victim.

[Tara Tetzlaff · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bit dated, but I would argue it is still a must-read for those who work in "helping fields" (ministry, education, healthcare). Abuse isn't always visible or obvious, but there are signs. Oftentimes there is emotional, psychological, verbal, and social abuse/battering long before there is physical violence. There needs to be greater awareness of these things as domestic abuse as well!

[Danielle Y O’Neill · Rating 5 out of 5]

The insights provided into the battering cycle assisted me in understanding a phenomenon that haunted my childhood.

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just could NOT finish this. Awful.

[Kim Schellin-Rog · Rating 2 out of 5]

Domestic violence 101. Lots of stories about the women she interviewed for the book

[Marigny777 · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the earliest widely published works dealing with this topic. Having worked both with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services Domestic Violence Program Development Group and as a DV outreach worker at Homeless and Traveler's Aid, it's both amazing and sickening to see the amount resources and education made available to reckon with this underreported phenomenon, compared to what is described in this book.

[Alana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this book as training for work. It has 3 sections: the psychology of the battered woman, battering techniques,and ways out. It was written in the late 1970s when the battered woman's movement was really beginning go get momentum, and was pretty very influential in changing attitudes and system responses. A lot of information is outdated, but it is great from a historical perspective of how much progress has been made and what still needs to be done.

[Aldrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be very informative as well as helpful in understanding the cycle of abuse that plagues victims of domestic violence and their abusers. I found it incredible how similar the patterns of behavior are between different abusers.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

domestic violence is a grossly misunderstood phenomenon in our culture. this book is a must for anyone interested in the history of domestic violence in the u.s. and in the psychological of the issue as well.