Psychological and behavioral pattern displayed by female victims of domestic violence.
Explanations that have evolved since the late 1970s include learned helplessness , a "cycle of violence" theory, and a form of post-traumatic stress disorder . The term is a legal concept rather than a psychiatric diagnosis and lacks clearly defined criteria. It has been used to support legal arguments of self-defense , diminished responsibility , or insanity when a woman is accused of murdering or assaulting her batterer, committing a crime under his coercion, or provoking the behaviour the batterer is on trial for. Critics say the term creates a stereotyped image inadequate to describe individual experiences.