Interventions for Shame and Guilt Experienced by Battered Women

Abstract

In both developed and developing countries worldwide abuse of women is rife thus interventions are needed which are practical and have a broad application. Battered Woman Syndrome (BWS) represents a specific set of psychological and behavioural symptoms that result from prolonged exposure to physical, sexual and/or psychological abuse. In most cases, the woman develops a sense of Learned Helplessness and feels the abuse is deserved which reinforces the power and control of her male partner. In sub-Saharan Africa, which is dominated by patriarchy, woman abuse is associated with traditions such as Lobola (bride price). This practice is meant to bring families together but in contemporary sub-Saharan society it is often distorted. Poor rural women are frequently unable to leave their abusive partners as their families compel them to remain because of the ‘shame’ attached to parting from their spouse. This chapter focuses on interventions which help women deal with feelings of guilt and shame related to their abuse. These have proven effective in a poor, rural sub-Saharan socio-economic context. The authors suggest that these can be used in similar contexts globally. The specific interventions found most effective are religious practices linked to Person Centred Therapy, Narrative Therapy and BrainWorking Recursive Therapy (BWRT). The purpose of these interventions is to enable women to gain enough self-esteem to change their circumstances.