Lorena Bobbit made headlines over 20 years ago because she cut off her then husband’s penis off after years of putting up with domestic abuse. Bobbit, who is now 46 was arrested in 1993 for cutting off John Bobbit’s penis with a kitchen knife.She was acquitted by reason of temporary insanity and has used this experience to bring awareness and help victims of domestic violence.
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In an interview with Steve Harvey, the Ecuadorian told him that her ex-husband tried reaching out to her after this happened, but she always deleted his number. Lorena is remarried to a wonderful man that is a gentleman and someone that treats her like he’s supposed to. “I have a new life and I just want to focus on what is positive and I [have] surrounded myself with positive people,” she tells Harvey. She lives in Virginia with her husband and daughter, Olivia. In 2008, she founded “Lorena’s Red Wagon,” a non-profit organization that helps victims of domestic violence.
One of the things she talks about is the battered women’s syndrome and this happens when someone is physically abused by their partner. The term was coined by Lenore Walker, EdD, founder of the Domestic Violence Institute.
There are three phases:
- Tension builds up between the batterer and the woman
- An explosion or encounter when the woman is the victim of battering and could be seriously injured
- When the abuser is calm and loving, pleads to be forgiven and promises to get help, also known as the “honeymoon phase”
Walker believes that battered woman syndrome is similar to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a psychological disorder that happens when that person faces or witnesses a traumatic event. Lorena in this case was so traumatized by her partner’s abuse that she believed she was in danger even when she was safe.
If you or someone is being physically, emotionally or psychologically, talk to your doctor, seek shelter and have a safety plan. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is a good place to start.
NEXT: What Should You Say When You Think Someone Is Being Abused?