Hedda Nussbaum

Hedda Nussbaum (born circa 1942) is an American domestic-abuse survivor and the author of a memoir, Surviving Intimate Terrorism, published in 2005.

Nussbaum entered the public eye as a central player in the media frenzy that resulted from the 1987 beating death of a six-year-old girl, Lisa, whose adoption had never been completed by Nussbaum and her partner, Joel Steinberg. Along with a toddler they named Mitchell, also "adopted," but through a different doctor than the one who had arranged their acquisition of Lisa one day after her birth, they lived in a brownstone apartment in New York's Greenwich Village. The uninjured toddler was subsequently returned to his birth mother Nicole Smiegel (a teenager at the time of his birth) and her extended family.

At Steinberg's trial Nussbaum testified after all charges against her had been dropped because the New York DA believed that she had been incapable of committing the crime. Steinberg was convicted on charges of second-degree manslaughter and served 15 years at the Southport Correctional Facility in Pine City, N.Y. He was released in 2004.

Nussbaum, who had suffered extensive and permanent injuries at Steinberg's hands, became a figure of pity and revulsion as the history of her dysfunctional relationship with Steinberg was revealed and often erroneously portrayed as masochistic. Before spiraling downward in her abusive relationship, she had been a respected and well-liked editor of children's books at Random House, the author of at least two children's books. When the story of Lisa's death broke, she had endured years of violence, and her shockingly battered appearance, including a flattened nose, did much to raise the case's profile.

Colleagues and friends of Nussbaum were aware of the violent nature of the couple's home life, but Nussbaum rejected attempts at friendly intervention and help, attributing her bruises and the resulting bandages to household accidents; her 1977 book, Plants Do Amazing Things, was even dedicated in part "to Joel, my everyday inspiration." Eventually the steady abuse prevented regular appearances in the office, and in 1982, after a long unexplained absence, she was put on consulting editor's status.

Hedda's denial of the danger of her situation and that of her children, is typical of some battered women. In her book, Surviving Intimate Terrorism, Hedda mentions the medical theory that trauma, especially prolonged trauma, can elicit the body's production of opoids that produce mental and physical numbness. This numbness further reduced her ability to think and act clearly. Some of the same aspects are seen in "Stockholm Syndrome", when the victim identifies, in cases of extreme fear, with the perpetrator.

There are also indications, as Hedda testified in court, that Lisa Steinberg was sexually abused by people outside of her immediate family.

Initially perceived as culpable, Hedda's book shows the complexity of domestic violence. It relates her love for her children and grief for the tragic events. Despite enormous obstacles, Hedda attempted to keep a home and provide nurturance for her children. She fled from the home 6 times, only to return. Lack of confidence, lack of societal support may have compelled her to return. Joel Steinberg was also at times a loving father, according to Hedda's story.

However, some of the public perceive Hedda as more of a participant and hold her equally accountable in the tragedy.

In the years that followed Lisa's death, Nussbaum worked to rebuild her life and had numerous reconstructive plastic surgeries. She also co-facilitated a support group for battered women for about eight years and later worked as a paralegal for an organization that helps battered women. In 1995 she began giving talks about abuse at colleges and shelters; but when Steinberg was released from prison in 2004, she receded from public attention until the publication of her book a year and a half later.

Several books were written about the case and its legal aftermath.

Books by Hedda Nussbaum (incomplete)

• Plants Do Amazing Things (1977)
• Animals Build Amazing Homes (1979)
• Surviving Intimate Terrorism (September 12, 2005) - ISBN 1413756522

External links

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