From Publishers Weekly
This is a study to set women's blood boiling. Seattle attorney Gillespie details how unjust the judiciary is to battered women who kill their tormentors. She shows that the law of selfdefense is adjudged by many courts not to apply to battered women. Some judges, for example, have disallowed testimony on previous batterings, while others have refused to permit experts on the so-called "battered women's syndrome" to be heard, on the grounds that the formulation is too recent for any expertise to have been developed. And such elements as the victim's inability to leave the battering husband/lover have been discounted. In a "summing-up," Gillespie presents recommendations that should be read by all lawyers and judges. Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Book News, Inc.
Explores the historical, legal, and societal aspects of this important phenomenon. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

This book explores the historical, legal, and societal reasons why women are rarely granted the right to act in self-defense.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

This is a study to set women's blood boiling. Seattle attorney Gillespie details how unjust the judiciary is to battered women who kill their tormentors. She shows that the law of selfdefense is adjudged by many courts not to apply to battered women. Some judges, for example, have disallowed testimony on previous batterings, while others have refused to permit experts on the so-called ``battered women's syndrome'' to be heard, on the grounds that the formulation is too recent for any expertise to have been developed. And such elements as the victim's inability to leave the battering husband/lover have been discounted. In a ``summing-up,'' Gillespie presents recommendations that should be read by all lawyers and judges. (Apr.)

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