Battered Women's SyndromeAn estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year. A surfacing psychological condition known as Battered Women's Syndrome (BWS) develops after experiencing physical and emotional abuse for a prolonged period of time. BWS has been sub-categorized as a form of post-traumatic stress disorder, proving that it is indeed a very serious and serious illness. Battered woman syndrome causes severe emotional and psychological trauma in women after prolonged abuse in an intimate relationship; the number of cases of battered women in America is increasing every year and more attention needs to be paid to their importance as well as the victims who are victimized. More informative programs can be used to prevent domestic violence as well as to raise awareness among battered women who will be forever traumatized by their experience of violence. Like many syndromes, BWS has several general characteristics that can be associated with a battered woman: "the woman believes that the violence inflicted is her fault, she perpetually fears for her life or that of her children, and she has an irrational belief that the violent party is omniscient and omnipresent” (“Defining Battered Woman Syndrome”). Even once a battered woman is freed from the cycle of violence, treatment will be necessary to guide the victim back to a safe reality. Women diagnosed as “battered” should have experienced the entire cycle of stages during the violence. The first stage involves only moderate encounters consisting of small fights and arguments. The next stage is an eruption of physical and verbal abuse which then leads to the very calm period also known as "ho...... middle of paper...... Abuse Prevention Center - Prevention of Domestic Violence. Np, and Web. April 2014. Dixon, Joe W. “Battered Woman Syndrome.” Battered women syndrome. Np, and Web. April 2014. Scholz, Sally. "20th PCM: Moral Implications of Battered Women's Syndrome." » 20th PCM: Moral implications of battered woman syndrome. Np, and Web. April 2014.Susman, Tina. "Jury Accepts Battered Woman's Defense." LATimes. Np, October 2011. Web. April 2014. “The DELTA program: at a glance. » Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, December 23, 2013. Web. April 2014. Veilleux, Ann. “Why women stay: understanding the battered woman.” Anne Veilleux. Np, and Web. April 2014. Walker, Lenore E. "Battered Women's Syndrome: Key Elements of a Diagnosis and Treatment Plan - Psychology Center Professional." » PsychCentral.com. Np, and Web. Apr. 2014.