NCJ Number
186248
Date Published
1999
Length
136 pages
Annotation
This document presents and explains the set of uniform definitions and 50 recommended data elements intended for voluntary use by individuals and organizations interested in collecting surveillance data on violence involving intimate partners.
Abstract
The goals of intimate partner violence (IPV) surveillance are to obtain an estimate of the number of people affected by IPV and to describe the characteristics of the people affected, the number and types of IPV episodes, the associated injuries, and other consequences. The recommended data elements cover four distinct types of violence, including physical violence, sexual violence, the treat of physical or sexual violence, and psychological or emotional abuse. The data elements are designed to collect information of use for public health surveillance of IPV and to serve as a technical reference for automation of the surveillance data. The uniform definitions are intended for use by policymakers, researchers, public health practitioners, victim advocates, service providers, and media professionals. The 50 data elements are organized into 4 major sections: (1) identifying information for the intimate partner violence surveillance system; (2) victim demographics; (3) victim’s experience of intimate partner violence; and (4) most recent violent episode perpetrated by any intimate partner. The recommendations resulted from a consultative procedure initiated by the CDC and conducted over several years to address scientific issues related to definitions and potential data elements. State health departments in Massachusetts, Michigan, and Rhode Island pilot tested methods for conducting statewide surveillance using the State’s most appropriate data sources. Technical notes, appended summary of data elements, 12 references