000			02343nam a2200301Ia 4500
001			111343
005			20250625151245.0
008			110331s2000 eng
040			_aWSS _dAFV
100			_aSharratt, Alarna _92096
245			_aAn evolving justice system? : _bhow do we best meet the needs of battered women who have killed their abusive partners? _cSharratt, Alarna
260			_c2000
300			_a89 p.
365			_a00 _b0
500			_aThesis submitted to the Victoria University of Wellington in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Criminology. Available for loan from Victoria University Library.
520			_aThis thesis is concerned with the criminal justice system's response to battered women who kill their abusive partners. The research addresses the question of how abused women's needs are being met within the current system, especially in relation to their legal defence. The research is largely literature-based, and includes a review of court cases and case studies. The author concludes that the needs of battered women who kill abusive partners are not being met: Whilst reference to 'battered woman's syndrome' has been introduced in some cases, the author claims that the justice system fails to acknowledge the effect that years of abuse has on women. The author recommends that any reform taking place in the area of battered women's defences to murder should focus on the gender bias in the criminal justice system which limits women's access to self-defence. The author argues that the interpretation and application of section 48 of the Crimes Act (1961), (self-defence) should be afforded particular attention, with consideration as to why New Zealand diverges from the rest of the Western world with regard to this defence. Finally, the author concludes that before they are introduced, any new defences should be evaluated for their potential impact on abused women.
522			_anz
650	2	7	_2FVC _aDOMESTIC VIOLENCE _9203
650	2	7	_2FVC _aHOMICIDE _9297
650	2	7	_2FVC _aJUSTICE _9333
650	2	7	_2FVC _aLEGISLATION _9346
650	2	7	_2FVC _aOFFENDERS _9413
650	2	4	_aVICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE _9624
650	2	7	_2FVC _aWOMEN _9645
650	2	7	_aTHESES _9606
650	2	7	_9431 _aINTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE _2FVC
942			_2ddc _cTHESIS
999			_c3208 _d3208