INTIMATE PARTNER

VIOLENCE SURVEILLANCE

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND

RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS

National Center for Injury Prevention and Control 

Division of Violence Prevention
INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE SURVEILLANCE

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND

RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS

VERSION 2.0

Matthew J. Breiding, PhD

Kathleen C. Basile, PhD

Sharon G. Smith, PhD

Michele C. Black, PhD, MPH

Reshma Mahendra, MPH

2015

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Center for Injury Prevention and Control

Atlanta, Georgia

Intimate Partner Violence Surveillance: Uniform Definitions and Recommended Data Elements, Version 2.0

is a set of recommendations designed to promote consistency in the use of terminology and data collection 

related to intimate partner violence. This document was developed through an extensive consultation process.

It is published by the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control of the Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Thomas R. Frieden, MD, MPH, Director

National Center for Injury Prevention and Control

Debra Houry MD, MPH, Director

Division of Violence Prevention

James A. Mercy, PhD, Director

Suggested Citation: Breiding MJ, Basile KC, Smith SG, Black MC, Mahendra RR. Intimate Partner Violence 

Surveillance: Uniform Definitions and Recommended Data Elements, Version 2.0. Atlanta (GA): National Center 

for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2015.
iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Panel Members .

External Reviewers .

Acknowledgments .

Introduction 

Uniform Definitions  

Intimate Partner Violence and Associated Terms . 

Terms Associated with the Circumstances and Consequences of Violence . 

Recommended Data Elements for Record-based and Survey Surveillance

of Intimate Partner Violence . 

Record-based Surveillance . 

Survey Surveillance . 

Recommended Data Elements for Intimate Partner Violence . 

Section 1. Identifying Information  

Section 2. Victim Demographics . 

Section 3. Victim’s Experience of Intimate Partner Violence . 

Section 3.1. Physical Violence by an Intimate Partner . 

Section 3.2. Sexual Violence by an Intimate Partner . 

Section 3.3. Stalking by an Intimate Partner . 

Section 3.4. Psychological Aggression by an Intimate Partner  .

Section 4. Most Recent Violent Episode Perpetrated by an Intimate Partner . 

Section 4.1. Details of Most Recent Violent Episode  

Section 4.2. Consequences to Victim Following Most Recent Violent Episode .  

Section 4.3. Perpetrator of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence .  

Technical Notes .  

References  .

Appendices .  

Appendix A: Panel Members and External Reviewers for 1999 Publication .  

Appendix B: Summary of Recommended Data Elements .  
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INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS

PANEL MEMBERS

Etiony Aldarondo, PhD

Associate Dean for Research

Director, Dunspaugh-Dalton Community and 

Educational Well-Being Research Center

School of Education

University of Miami

5202 University Drive

Coral Gables, FL 33146 

Sarah Cook, PhD

Professor of Psychology

Associate Dean of the Honors College

Georgia State University

P.O. Box 5010

Atlanta, GA 30302

Christine Gidycz, PhD

Professor of Psychology

Department of Psychology

Ohio University

Athens, OH 45701

Sherry Hamby, PhD

Research Professor and Director,

Life Paths Research Program

Sewanee: The University of the South

735 University Avenue

Sewanee, Tennessee 37383

Dean G. Kilpatrick, PhD

Distinguished University Professor

of Clinical Psychology

Director, National Crime Victims

Research & Treatment Center

Vice-Chair for Research &

Research Administration

Co-Director, Charleston Consortium

Clinical Psychology Internship Program

Department of Psychiatry &

Behavioral Sciences

Medical University of South Carolina

67 President Street

Ste BA207, 2nd Floor IOP South

Charleston, South Carolina 29425

David S. Lee, MPH

Director of Prevention Services

California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CALCASA)

1215 K Street, Suite 1850

Esquire Plaza

Sacramento, CA 95814

TK Logan, PhD

Professor

Department of Behavioral Sciences

College of Medicine and the Center

of Drug Alcohol Research

University of Kentucky

333 Waller Avenue, Suite 480

Lexington, KY 40504-2915

Anne Menard, CEO

Director

National Resource Center on

Domestic Violence

3605 Vartan Way, Suite 101

Harrisburg, PA 17110

Angela Moore, PhD

Director

Justice Systems Research Division

Office of Research and Evaluation

National Institute of Justice

U.S. Department of Justice

Washington, D.C.

Kathleen Parks, PhD

Senior Research Scientist

State University of New York at Buffalo

Research Institute on Addictions

1021 Main Street

Buffalo, NY 14203

Jay G. Silverman, PhD

Professor of Medicine and

Global Public Health

Director of Research, Center on Gender Equity and 

Health

University of California, San Diego

10111 N. Torrey Pines Rd., MC0507;

Institute of the Americas

La Jolla, California 92093-0507
v

EXTERNAL REVIEWERS*

Nancy L. Bagnato, MPH

Coordinator

Violence Prevention Unit

Safe and Active Communities Branch

California Department of Public Health

1616 Capital Avenue

Sacramento, CA 95899

Karen Baker, LMSW

Director

National Sexual Violence Resource Center

123 North Enola Drive

Enola, PA 17025

Connie Burk

Executive Director

The NW Network of Bisexual, Trans,

Lesbian & Gay Survivors of Abuse

P.O. Box 18436

Seattle, WA 98118

Donna Greco, MSW

Training and Technical Assistance Director

National Sexual Violence Resource Center

123 North Enola Drive

Enola, PA 17025

Binnie LeHew, MSW

Executive Officer

Office of Disability, Injury &

Violence Prevention

Iowa Department of Health

321 E. 12th Street

Des Moines, Iowa 50319

Sally J. Laskey, MA

Director of Special Projects

National Sexual Violence Resource Center

123 North Enola Drive

Enola, PA 17025

Diane Moyer, Esq.

Legal Director

Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape

125 North Enola Drive

Enola, PA 17025

* CDC invited a large number of external reviewers representing a wide range of stakeholders. The expert reviewers listed above provided 

comments by the time they were due and the document was finalized.
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INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors would like to acknowledge those who authored the original version of Intimate Partner Violence 

Surveillance: Uniform Definitions and Recommended Data Elements, Linda E. Saltzman, Janet F. Fanslow, 

Pamela M. McMahon, and Gene A. Shelley. Their authorship of the IPV Uniform Definitions and Recommended 

Data Elements provided the foundation from which we worked. Much of their work is retained in this version.

In addition to the panel members and external reviewers who helped to create and provide comments on this 

and earlier drafts, we would like to thank the following people for their contributions to the panel meeting and 

document revision process: Kathleen Rutherford, for helping to plan and facilitate the expert panel meeting; 

Merle Hamburger, Melanie LaGarde, and Mikel Walters for their helpful assistance in planning the expert panel 

meeting; Julie Gazmararian, Melissa Merrick, and Mikel Walters for their help with summarizing the notes from 

the meeting; Mark Conner for developing the layout; and Alida Knuth for coordinating graphic design and 

printing services.
INTRODUCTION 1

INTRODUCTION

The Problem of Intimate Partner Violence

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health problem. The most recent data, from the 2011 

National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS), indicate that over 10 million women and men

in the United States experience physical violence each year by a current or former intimate partner. Further, over 

1 in 5 women (22.3%) and nearly 1 in 7 men (14.0%) have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate 

partner at some point in their lifetime, translating to nearly 29 million U.S. women and nearly 16 million U.S. 

men.1 Data from NISVS also show that nearly 1 in 11 women (8.8%) have been raped by a current or former 

intimate partner at some point in their lives.1 Finally, approximately 9.2% of women and 2.5% of men have been 

stalked by an intimate partner in their lifetime.1

In addition to the immediate impact, intimate partner violence has lifelong consequences. A number of studies 

have shown that beyond injury and death, victims of IPV are more likely to report a range of negative mental and 

physical health outcomes that are both acute and chronic in nature.2,3 During the past decade, a number

of studies have also improved our understanding of the biologic response to acute and chronic stress that links 

IPV with negative health outcomes.2,3 In addition, there are a number of behavioral factors that are likely to play

a role in the link between IPV and adverse health outcomes as victims of IPV are more likely to smoke, engage

in heavy/binge drinking, report HIV risk factors, and endorse other unhealthy behaviors.3

Prior to NISVS, there was no established mechanism for ongoing public health surveillance that provided 

national- and state-level IPV data. Those interested in knowing the incidence and prevalence of IPV had to rely 

on one-time data collection efforts or data from multiple data systems utilizing differing definitions and methods 

of data collection. Obtaining accurate and reliable estimates of the number of individuals affected by violence 

is complicated by a number of factors. Many of these data sources were created and maintained for purposes 

other than monitoring the scope of the problem. For example, law enforcement agencies collect information 

about violence against women for the purpose of apprehending and bringing charges against the perpetrator(s) 

of the violence; these agencies are likely to record fewer details about the victim. Hospitals collect information 

primarily for providing optimal patient care and for billing purposes, and thus may record few or no details about 

the perpetrator of the violence, even if they recognize or record the violence at all.4 The process of bringing 

together data from multiple systems is one way to arrive at better estimates of the number of women and men 

who are victims of violence. However, use of multiple data systems can present logistical challenges and threats 

to the reliability of the data because, for some incidents, information from the victim will appear in multiple data 

systems (e.g., both police and hospital data), whereas for other incidents victim information will only appear

in one data system (e.g., the victim seeks emergency department treatment but does not file a police report).

In addition to these logistical challenges, there are social barriers to obtaining accurate IPV surveillance data. 

These barriers include the sensitive nature of the topic; the guilt and shame that inhibit self-identification by 

victims and perpetrators; and the lack of training, fear of repercussions, and other concerns that inhibit agency 

personnel from recording reports of IPV in official records, even when cases are identified. Furthermore, only

a small fraction of all IPV victims ever seek help from either the criminal justice or the health care system.

The task of obtaining surveillance information is further complicated by the repetitive nature of the violence

in many violent relationships. As a result, it is difficult to determine if the counts obtained reflect the number 

of individuals affected or the number of incidents of violence. This difficulty is compounded by the necessity 

of relying on multiple data sources. Police may file and treat each assault separately, even if all incidents were 

caused by the same perpetrator, whereas hospitals may record repeated incidents in the same patient file.

Inconsistent definitions of IPV limit the ability of the field to prevent and respond to the problem in a number

of ways. First, without an agreed-upon definition about what should and should not be counted as IPV,

we are unable to gauge the magnitude of the problem and determine the resources needed for prevention and 

response. Second, it limits our ability to identify those groups at highest risk who might benefit from focused 

intervention or increased services. Third, it limits our ability to monitor changes in the incidence and prevalence 

of IPV over time which, in turn, limits our ability to monitor the effectiveness of violence prevention and 

intervention activities. Higher quality and more timely incidence and prevalence estimates have the potential

to be of use to a wide audience, including policymakers, researchers, public health practitioners, victim 

advocates, service providers, and media professionals.
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INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS

History of CDC Activities Related to the Development of Uniform Definitions and Recommended

Data Elements

Recognizing the need to improve the quality of the available IPV data, the National Center for Injury Prevention 

and Control (NCIPC), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), initiated a process to promote 

consistency in the use of terminology and data collection related to IPV. In 1999, the NCIPC published 

Version 1.0 of Intimate Partner Violence Surveillance: Uniform Definitions and Recommended Data Elements

(RDE).5 Version 1.0 was developed through an extensive consultative process beginning with an Expert Panel 

convened in March 1996 (Appendix 1). A number of external reviewers were also consulted, including federal 

and international partners, state health department representatives, professional and medical organizations, 

coalitions, and researchers.

The Need for Revisions to the Definitions and Data Elements

Many changes have occurred in the IPV field since the first edition of the definitions document was created. 

These changes impact the components of an IPV data collection system and the prevention approaches that 

follow. One example that demonstrates the need for revisions relates to stalking. At the time in which the first

IPV definitions were developed there was some disagreement in the field regarding whether stalking should

be treated as a distinct component of violence against women (and in this case, IPV). Recommendations from

a 1998 “Workshop on Building Data Systems for Monitoring and Responding to Violence Against Women,” were 

that stalking should be considered a component of violence and abuse against women (VAAW), but there was

no consensus on whether stalking should be included in the narrower category of violence against women 

(VAW), considered psychological/emotional abuse, or its own distinct category.6 Since that time the amount

of scholarship on stalking has increased and stalking is more commonly studied as part of IPV. CDC’s National 

Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, which began data collection in 2010 and is planned as an ongoing 

surveillance system, measures stalking by any perpetrator, and classifies it as a component of IPV, similar to the 

National Violence Against Women Survey of the mid-1990’s.

Additionally, since the development of the first edition of the IPV uniform definitions and recommended data 

elements document, there has been recognition in the field regarding the evolution of how young adults and 

teens describe their dating partners. While this most centrally impacts the separate but related issue of dating 

violence measurement, it is important to examine and potentially update the definition of an intimate partner

in light of these changes. Additionally, there is ongoing debate about how to distinguish between certain victimperpetrator relationships, specifically among intimate partners; for example, the term “date” can refer to a wide 

range of relationships, including an intimate partner or an acquaintance. Also, with regard to a “completed sex 

act,” questions have been raised as to the importance of including the roles of the victim and perpetrator

(i.e., who penetrated whom). Finally, with the technological advances over the last decade, more attention has 

been placed on Internet-based relationships, and it is unclear how the changes in access brought about by new 

technologies are impacting violence victimization experiences. These and other questions (described below) 

were explored in this revision.

It is also important to note that Version 1.0 of the uniform definitions document discussed the debate about

a lack of clarity regarding the term “violence against women,” noting that “the term has been used to describe

a wide range of acts.” While the current terminology used in this document focuses primarily on the more narrow 

term “intimate partner violence,” the same issues remain regarding the lack of clarity about the specific acts 

that should be included as part of the terminology of the definition, as well as the specific relationship types that 

might be classified as “intimate.”

The Revision Process

Version 1.0 of the IPV Uniform Definitions and Recommended Data Elements provided the foundation for 

Version 2.0. While many items in the CDC Uniform Definitions have been modified and updated, much of the 

original text written by the original authors remains intact. CDC convened a panel of 11 experts in October 

2010 to discuss and provide recommendations for revising the previously published sexual violence (SV) and 

IPV uniform definition documents. The goal was to have representation from researchers and practitioners as 

well as experts who could speak to both IPV and SV (even if some primarily specialize in only one of the areas). 

In addition, experts who served on one or both of the previous panels/external groups were included to help 

provide historical context. The in-person panel included more researchers than practitioners due to the need 
INTRODUCTION 3

for expertise and experience in current definitional issues and measurement. After the in-person meeting the 11 

panelists reviewed and provided final input to the revised document. To ensure that the proposed changes were 

relevant to practitioners and service providers, we also sought input from 12 leaders in the practice field and 7 

provided comments and suggestions.

There were eight key issues discussed and considered by the in-person expert panel that were relevant to the 

IPV definitions document. These were: 1) whether (and how) to include unwanted non-physical pressured sex, 

2) whether (and how) to include sexual harassment, 3) how to define a date given changes in labels used by 

younger populations, 4) whether (and how) to include stalking in the intimate partner violence definitions, 5) 

how to distinguish between a date, a dating partner and an intimate partner, 6) whether to expand the meaning 

of “completed sex act” to identify who penetrates whom, 7) whether to expand the definition of psychological/

emotional abuse and explore whether it requires the presence of other violence by an intimate partner, and 8) 

whether (and how) to update the Recommended Data Elements.2,3 Discussions with the expert panel started with 

these eight issues and expanded into other topics that resulted in additional changes to the documents.

Public Health Surveillance

Public health surveillance involves ongoing, systematic collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination 

of data related to a health-related event.7 The ultimate purpose of public health surveillance is to direct public 

health action in an effort to reduce morbidity and mortality, and improve overall health.7 A foundational aspect 

of any public health surveillance system is developing a standard case definition for the health outcome under 

surveillance. The use of a standard case definition is one key factor needed to ensure that information is 

collected in a systematic fashion. A high quality case definition improves the comparability of the health-related 

event reported from different sources of data, such as comparisons among geographic areas, or the ability

to compare data over time.7 Further, a consistent definition is critical in order to monitor trends over time.8

“Record-based” Surveillance Versus “Survey” Surveillance

Record-based surveillance involves systematic, ongoing collection, analysis, and interpretation of existing 

data from sources such as emergency departments, police departments, or domestic violence shelters.7 These 

data have typically been collected for other agency-related purposes, but can later be extracted and used for 

public health surveillance purposes. In addition to allowing examination of trends over time, these data are 

typically inexpensive to collect given that the information already exists. Some also refer to this as archival data 

collection.

Surveillance using population-based surveys involves collecting data directly from individuals. For surveillance 

purposes, surveys are repeated (e.g., annually, biennially) and collect information from individuals using

systematic data collection from a representative sample of the population of interest. Because surveys do not 

rely upon already existing information, they allow flexibility in the number of questions and the level of detailed 

information that is collected. Furthermore, unlike surveillance using records, survey surveillance provides the 

opportunity to gather information from those who have experienced IPV and from individuals who have not 

for purposes of comparison. However, surveys are typically more expensive to conduct relative to surveillance 

collected via record reviews or through use of administrative data systems.

For record-based IPV surveillance, data collectors are encouraged to gather information from appropriate 

agencies in their jurisdiction, including, but not limited to, police records, domestic violence shelters and 

hospitals. In gathering this information, data collectors should be aware of several major issues. Health care 

providers, domestic violence shelters and other victim service agencies are under strict bounds of confidentiality; 

therefore, access to their records will likely be limited. Many health care and service agencies are overburdened 

and may not have the available staff to either remove unique identifiers or gather information from the records 

themselves. With respect to medical records, many victims do not seek medical care. Furthermore, if victims 

do seek medical care or other services, they may not disclose their experiences and are thus, not identified 

as IPV victims in most medical or other records. Finally, if victims do disclose information, personnel may not 

always gather or document all of the information that is important for IPV surveillance. For these and other 

reasons, information about IPV in existing records is frequently limited and this may have implications for the 

representativeness of the data.
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INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS

An example of data that would be difficult to obtain using record-based surveillance methods are changes 

in psychological or mental health after IPV. For many victims there can be significant short- and long-term 

mental and physical health consequences associated with the experience of IPV.8-10 Information related to the 

psychological functioning or long-term health problems of victims may not be collected from victims at the time 

of an agency intake. This is particularly true if victims state that the reason for their visit is due to an injury such 

as a bruise or a broken bone without explicitly mentioning IPV. In addition, if this type of information is collected, 

it is generally not collected in a systematic fashion that would allow for meaningful examination of such data. 

Documentation of adverse mental and physical health outcomes is important for demonstrating that IPV has 

wide-reaching effects beyond just the immediate injury or psychological distress that is often self-evident.

For these reasons, complementing record-based surveillance with ongoing population-based surveys can allow 

for the collection of data that is frequently unavailable in agency records.

Contents, Purpose and Scope of this Document

This document is the second version of Intimate Partner Violence Surveillance: Uniform Definitions and 

Recommended Data Elements (RDEs) originally published in 1999.The document is intended for use by 

individuals and organizations interested in gathering public health surveillance data on IPV. This document

has been designed to promote and improve the consistency of IPV surveillance across organizations.

The definitions and data elements in this document are recommendations only and are not intended as 

mandates. Furthermore, the contents of this document do not represent instruments to be used for either 

record or survey surveillance. Rather, the definitions and data elements can be used to create measures and 

instruments for surveillance. When creating instruments, it is important to clearly communicate the definitions 

of IPV for the person abstracting data from records or to use behaviorally specific measures that reflect the 

definitions of IPV in surveys. The definition of IPV separates the experience into multiple, discrete violence types. 

However, it is important to note that victims do not necessarily experience IPV in the way that the definitions 

categorize these experiences. To address this issue, the RDEs that describe incidents of IPV allow for multiple 

types of IPV to be recorded and ascribed to the same incident.

Many of the RDEs included in this document are focused on collecting information pertaining to the most recent 

perpetrator (which is likely to be the focus of shelters, hospitals, police records and other service providers)

as well as the first ever experience. However, data collectors may focus their efforts on a wider, or more limited, 

set of violence experiences. Examples include gathering information on all perpetrators over one’s lifetime, on all 

perpetrators in the past 12 months, or on the most severe episode of violence experienced by a victim.

The RDEs should not be viewed as measures or specific questions that should be asked. Furthermore, an RDE 

may reflect the combination of multiple pieces of information (i.e., questions in a survey). For example, to obtain 

adequate information for the RDE “3.301 Stalking by an Intimate Partner in Lifetime,” information needs to be 

gathered regarding the victim’s experience of multiple stalking behaviors and whether the experience of these 

stalking behaviors resulted in the victim being fearful.

This document includes three major sections:

•	 Uniform Definitions for Intimate Partner Violence

•	 Data Elements for Record-based and Survey Surveillance of Intimate Partner Violence

•	 Recommended Data Elements for Intimate Partner Violence, which includes:

° Identifying Information;

° Victim Demographics;

° Victim’s Experience of IPV;

° Most Recent Violent Episode Perpetrated by an Intimate Partner.
INTRODUCTION 5

For each data element, the following categories of information are listed:

•	 Description or Definition of the data element;

•	 Uses of the data element and Type of Surveillance for which it is recommended;

•	 Data Type and maximum allowed Field Length;

•	 Field Values and Coding Instructions that designate recommended coding specification

and valid data entries.

For some data elements, the following additional categories are listed:

•	 Discussion of conceptual or operational issues;

•	 Repetition, an indication of when it is appropriate to include all answers that may apply;

•	 Data Standards or Guidelines used to define the data element and its field values;

•	 Other References consulted in developing the data element.

Notes on the Use of the Uniform Definitions and the Recommended Data Elements

The Uniform Definitions are used throughout the Recommended Data Elements. The definitions are likely

to be useful for a wide range of policymakers, researchers, public health practitioners, victim advocates, service 

providers, and media professionals seeking to clarify discussions about IPV. However, most terms in the Uniform 

Definitions are defined in only a general sense, and researchers and other users may need to further refine them.

Dating violence, and more specifically teen dating violence, is an emerging area of study that is similar in many 

respects to adult intimate partner violence. Although the definitions in this document often focus on and refer

to elements of IPV that are specific to adults, the Uniform Definitions and Recommended Data Elements can also 

be used for the purpose of teen dating violence surveillance.

Additionally, IPV, as specified in the Uniform Definitions and used throughout the Recommended Data Elements, 

refers to victim/perpetrator relationships among current or former intimate partners. For ease of presentation, 

the words “current and former” are not always used to qualify the term intimate partner violence but are always 

implied when the term is used. Note that the document was written to enable data collection for both female and 

male IPV victims.

As you use the Recommended Data Elements, keep in mind the following points:

•	 The goals of IPV surveillance are to obtain an estimate of the number of people who are affected

by IPV during a specified time period (e.g., lifetime, past 12 months) and to describe the characteristics 

of people affected, the duration and frequency of IPV experienced, and the consequences (e.g., injuries, 

need for services, fear for safety). Given that simplicity is an important surveillance system attribute

for obtaining high quality data,7

 and given the complexity in understanding the complete picture

of a violent interaction between two people, judgment is required to distinguish between data elements 

that are desirable and those that might possibly be collected. Desirable data elements that are not 

feasible to collect as part of a surveillance system will need to be collected in other ways.

•	 No single agency is likely to collect all of the recommended data elements. Consequently, some 

surveillance systems, such as the National Violent Death Reporting System, combine data from

a number of sources (e.g., death certificates, coroner/medical examiner records, law enforcement 

reports) in order to provide a more complete description of a violent event.11
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INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS

•	 The Recommended Data Elements include four discrete types of violence: physical violence, sexual 

violence, stalking, and psychological aggression. One violent episode may contain all four types

of violence. Although the definition of IPV separates the experiences into multiple, discrete violence 

types, victims may not necessarily experience IPV in the way that the definitions categorize these 

experiences. To address this the Recommended Data Elements that describe episodes of IPV allow for 

multiple forms of IPV to be recorded related to the same episode.

•	 Each Recommended Data Element is numbered for convenience of presentation and for easy reference. 

Each data element includes a code set that specifies recommended coding values and instructions for 

what to do when the data element is not applicable for a particular victim. The data elements can be 

gathered in any order and can be obtained from one or more data sources for any given victim of IPV.

•	 The data elements are not meant to be “administered” as a survey or a questionnaire nor are they 

mandatory elements. Instead, they are presented as information to be gathered, as appropriate and 

when available from data sources in the jurisdictions that gather such information. It is likely that recordbased surveillance efforts may not have access to all elements that are listed.

What is New in This Version?

The revisions to this document were primarily framed around the key issues that were discussed with the panel 

and described above. For example, we have updated our definitions to reflect input from the panel and changes 

in the field (e.g., recognition that stalking is a critical component of IPV). We have also simplified the response 

options regarding the number of episodes that have occurred for a particular form of violence

(0 episodes, 1 episode, 2 or more episodes). This reflects the difficulty in providing the exact number of times 

that a particular behavior was experienced during a given time period, particularly for record-based surveillance 

in which the most recent episode is typically the focus. Additionally, the reader will find explicit mention of the 

use of technology to perpetrate stalking and non-contact forms of sexual violence (e.g. use of GPS for tracking, 

or sexually explicit text messages). A significant number of changes were also made to how psychological 

aggression (formerly labeled psychological abuse) is defined. Among the changes is the addition of “control

of reproductive or sexual health,” “gaslighting,” and “exploitation of vulnerability.”

With regard to the Recommended Data Elements, this revised version includes a few additional elements, 

including an element about “significant life disruptions” caused or aggravated by victimization experiences, 

and an element related to “negative physical health conditions” that may be associated with victimization 

experiences. Additionally, a definition of tactics (e.g., administering alcohol, false promises) used to perpetrate 

SV has also been included as part of the sexual violence definition.

Confidentiality and Safety

Confidentiality and safety are of paramount importance in the surveillance of IPV, as is true for all research

on violence. No data should be collected or stored that would in any way jeopardize a victim’s safety.

In developing a surveillance system for IPV it is important to maintain confidentiality of respondents and ensure 

the safety of victims. The issue of confidentiality must be balanced with the need for data linkage across multiple 

data sets. This could be accomplished with the use of unique identifiers. Unique identifiers are important to link 

information from separate data sources (e.g., domestic violence shelters, law enforcement, hospitals). Unique 

identifiers are also needed to reduce duplication of information collected and to identify repeat visits by the same 

person. This document does not suggest the use of names or social security numbers as unique identifiers. 

Unique identifiers can be created by using different data components such that the information can be linked

to a particular person but cannot be traced back to that person.
INTRODUCTION 7

Surveillance systems that measure IPV through surveys need to address ethical issues related to collecting this 

type of sensitive information.12 Among the steps necessary in ensuring respondent safety:

•	 Graduated informed consent in which the topic of the survey is revealed only to the respondent, in order 

to decrease the possibility of reprisal by a potential perpetrator living with the respondent.

•	 Well-trained interviewers who are able to skillfully ask about sensitive issues in a respectful manner

in order to build rapport and maximize the comfort of the respondent.

•	 Developing and implementing a detailed protocol for interviewers to follow should a respondent become 

distressed.

•	 Explicit instructions by interviewers to respondents that they may skip any question or immediately stop 

the survey at any time, especially if the respondent should feel their safety is at risk.

•	 Efforts to connect respondents who are victims to needed services, particularly if they indicate distress 

in the course of participation.

Next Steps and Suggestions From the Panel

Although the focus here is on surveillance and measurement issues, the panel identified other important areas

in need of focus. Many changes have occurred in the field of IPV since the first edition of the definitions 

document was created. These changes impact the components of an IPV data collection system and the 

prevention approaches that follow. The IPV Uniform Definitions and Recommended Data Elements have been 

updated to more appropriately capture recent developments in understanding the magnitude, extent, and burden 

of IPV. We encourage others to use these definitions, which can be applied to the conduct of record-based 

surveillance and survey surveillance in a broad range of community and institutional settings (e.g., metropolitan 

areas, counties, state and national data, health clinics, hospitals). Although this document is focused on public 

health surveillance, the panel identified other important IPV-related areas in need of focus, such as further 

exploration of fear as a component of the stalking definition, identifying risk factors at the outer levels of the 

social ecology (i.e., community and societal level factors), as well as identifying protective factors at all levels

of the social ecology.

Prospective users of this document are invited to contact CDC to discuss their plans for evaluating or using 

some or all of the recommended data elements. Lessons learned through field use and evaluation will

be a valuable source of input for subsequent revisions, but all comments and suggestions for improving this 

document are welcome.

Please send questions or suggestions for improving this document to:

Matthew J. Breiding, PhD

Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention

National Center for Injury Prevention and Control

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

4770 Buford Highway, MS-F62

Atlanta, GA, 30341

Telephone: (770) 488-1396

E-mail: dvi8@cdc.gov
8

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS
9

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS

Intimate Partner Violence and Associated Terms . 

Terms Associated with the Circumstances and Consequences of Violence . 

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS
10

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS
UNIFORM DEFINITIONS 11

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS

Intimate Partner Violence and Associated Terms

Intimate Partner Violence—Overall Definition

Intimate partner violence includes physical violence, sexual violence, stalking and psychological aggression 

(including coercive tactics) by a current or former intimate partner (i.e., spouse, boyfriend/girlfriend, dating 

partner, or ongoing sexual partner).

Intimate Partner

An intimate partner is a person with whom one has a close personal relationship that may be characterized

by the partners’ emotional connectedness, regular contact, ongoing physical contact and sexual behavior, 

identity as a couple, and familiarity and knowledge about each other’s lives. The relationship need not involve

all of these dimensions.

Intimate partner relationships include current or former:

•	 spouses (married spouses, common-law spouses, civil union spouses, domestic partners)

•	 boyfriends/girlfriends

•	 dating partners

•	 ongoing sexual partners

Intimate partners may or may not be cohabiting. Intimate partners can be opposite or same sex. If the victim and 

the perpetrator have a child in common and a previous relationship but no current relationship, then by definition 

they fit into the category of former intimate partner. States differ as to what constitutes a common-law marriage. 

Users of the Recommended Data Elements will need to know what qualifies as a common-law marriage in their 

state.

Physical Violence

Physical violence is defined as the intentional use of physical force with the potential for causing death, disability, 

injury, or harm. Physical violence includes, but is not limited to: scratching, pushing, shoving, throwing, grabbing, 

biting, choking, shaking, hair-pulling, slapping, punching, hitting, burning, use of a weapon (gun, knife, or other 

object), and use of restraints or one’s body, size, or strength against another person. Physical violence also 

includes coercing other people to commit any of the above acts.

Sexual Violence

Sexual violence is defined as a sexual act that is committed or attempted by another person without freely given 

consent of the victim or against someone who is unable to consent or refuse. It includes: forced or alcohol/

drug facilitated penetration of a victim; forced or alcohol/drug facilitated incidents in which the victim was made 

to penetrate a perpetrator or someone else; nonphysically pressured unwanted penetration; intentional sexual 

touching; or non-contact acts of a sexual nature. Sexual violence can also occur when a perpetrator forces

or coerces a victim to engage in sexual acts with a third party.

Sexual violence involves a lack of freely given consent as well as situations in which the victim is unable

to consent or refuse:

•	 Consent

Words or overt actions by a person who is legally or functionally competent to give informed approval, 

indicating a freely given agreement to have sexual intercourse or sexual contact.
12

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS

•	 Inability to Consent

A freely given agreement to have sexual intercourse or sexual contact could not occur because of the 

victim’s age, illness, mental or physical disability, being asleep or unconscious, or being too intoxicated 

(e.g., incapacitation, lack of consciousness, or lack of awareness) through their voluntary or involuntary 

use of alcohol or drugs.

•	 Inability to Refuse

Disagreement to engage in a sexual act was precluded because of the use or possession of guns

or other non-bodily weapons, or due to physical violence, threats of physical violence, intimidation

or pressure, or misuse of authority.

Sexual violence is divided into the following types:

•	 Completed or attempted forced penetration of a victim

•	 Completed or attempted alcohol/drug-facilitated penetration of a victim

•	 Completed or attempted forced acts in which a victim is made to penetrate a perpetrator

or someone else

•	 Completed or attempted alcohol/drug-facilitated acts in which a victim is made to penetrate

a perpetrator or someone else

•	 Non-physically forced penetration which occurs after a person is pressured verbally or through 

intimidation or misuse of authority to consent or acquiesce

•	 Unwanted sexual contact

•	 Non-contact unwanted sexual experiences

Penetration

Penetration involves physical insertion, however slight, of the penis into the vulva; contact between the mouth 

and the penis, vulva, or anus; or physical insertion of a hand, finger, or other object into the anal or genital 

opening of another person.

•	 Penetration of Victim

° Penetration of the Victim by Force - Includes completed or attempted unwanted vaginal

(for women), oral, or anal insertion through use of physical force or threats to physically harm

toward or against the victim. Examples include pinning the victim’s arms, using one’s body weight 

to prevent movement or escape, use of a weapon or threats of use, and assaulting the victim.

° Penetration of Victim by Alcohol/drug-facilitation - Includes completed or attempted unwanted 

vaginal (for women), oral, or anal insertion when the victim was unable to consent due to being 

too intoxicated (e.g., incapacitation, lack of consciousness, or lack of awareness) through their 

voluntary or involuntary use of alcohol or drugs.

•	 Victim was Made to Penetrate

° Victim was Made to Penetrate a Perpetrator or Someone Else by Force - Includes times when

the victim was made, or there was an attempt to make the victim, sexually penetrate a perpetrator 

or someone else without the victim’s consent because the victim was physically forced or threatened with physical harm. Examples include pinning the victim’s arms, using one’s body weight

to prevent movement or escape, use of a weapon or threats of use, and assaulting the victim.

° Victim was Made to Penetrate a Perpetrator or Someone Else by Alcohol/drug-facilitation -

Includes times when the victim was made, or there was an attempt to make the victim, sexually 

penetrate a perpetrator or someone else without the victim’s consent because the victim

is unable to provide consent due to being too intoxicated (e.g., incapacitation, lack of consciousness, or lack of awareness) through their voluntary or involuntary use of alcohol or drugs.
UNIFORM DEFINITIONS 13

Nonphysically pressured unwanted penetration

Victim was pressured verbally or through intimidation or misuse of authority to consent or acquiesce to being 

penetrated. Examples include being worn down by someone who repeatedly asked for sex or showed they were 

unhappy; feeling pressured by being lied to, or being told promises that were untrue; having someone threaten 

to end a relationship or spread rumors; and sexual pressure due to someone using their influence or authority 

(this is not an exhaustive list).

Unwanted Sexual Contact

Intentional touching, either directly or through the clothing, of the genitalia, anus, groin, breast, inner thigh, or 

buttocks of any person without his or her consent, or of a person who is unable to consent or refuse. Unwanted 

sexual contact can be perpetrated against a victim or by making a victim touch the perpetrator. Unwanted sexual 

contact could be referred to as sexual harassment in some contexts (e.g., school or workplace).

Non-Contact Unwanted Sexual Experiences

Sexual violence that does not include physical contact of a sexual nature between the perpetrator and the victim. 

This occurs against a person without his or her consent, or against a person who is unable to consent or refuse. 

Some acts of non-contact unwanted sexual experiences occur without the victim’s knowledge. This type of 

sexual violence can occur in many different venues (e.g., school, workplace, in public, or through technology).

Non-contact unwanted sexual experiences includes acts such as:

•	 Unwanted exposure to sexual situations - pornography, voyeurism, exhibitionism (this is not

an exhaustive list)

•	 Verbal or behavioral sexual harassment - making sexual comments, spreading sexual rumors, sending 

unwanted sexually explicit photographs, or creating a sexually hostile climate, in person or through the 

use of technology (this is not an exhaustive list)

•	 Threats of SV to accomplish some other end such as threatening to rape someone if he or she does not 

give the perpetrator money; threatening to spread sexual rumors if the victim does not have sex with 

them (this is not an exhaustive list)

•	 Unwanted filming, taking or disseminating photographs of a sexual nature of another person (this is not 

an exhaustive list)

Tactics

Methods used by the perpetrator to coerce someone to engage in or be exposed to a sexual act. The following 

are tactics used to perpetrate SV (this is not an exhaustive list):

•	 Use or threat of physical force toward a victim in order to gain the victim’s compliance with a sexual act 

(e.g., pinning the victim down, assaulting the victim)

•	 Administering alcohol or drugs to a victim in order to gain the victim’s compliance with a sexual act

(e.g., drink spiking)

•	 Taking advantage of a victim who is unable to provide consent due to intoxication or incapacitation from 

voluntary consumption of alcohol, recreational drugs, or medication

•	 Exploitation of vulnerability (e.g., immigration status, disability, undisclosed sexual orientation, age)

•	 Intimidation

•	 Misuse of authority (e.g., using one’s position of power to coerce or force a person to engage in sexual 

activity)
14

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS

•	 Economic coercion, such as bartering of sex for basic goods, like housing, employment/wages, 

immigration papers, or childcare

•	 Degradation, such as insulting or humiliating a victim

•	 Fraud, such as lies or misrepresentation of the perpetrator’s identity

•	 Continual verbal pressure, such as when the victim is being worn down by someone who repeatedly 

asks for sex or, for example, by someone who complains that the victim doesn’t love them enough

•	 False promises by the perpetrator (e.g., promising marriage, promising to stay in the relationship, etc.)

•	 Nonphysical threats such as threats to end a relationship or spread rumors

•	 Grooming and other tactics to gain a child’s trust

•	 Control of a person’s sexual behavior/sexuality through threats, reprisals, threat to transmit STD’s, threat 

to force pregnancy, etc.

Stalking

A pattern of repeated, unwanted, attention and contact that causes fear or concern for one’s own safety

or the safety of someone else (e.g., family member, close friend).

Stalking acts by a perpetrator can include, but are not limited to:

•	 Repeated and unwanted phone calls, voice messages, text messages, pages, and hang-ups

•	 Repeated and unwanted emails, instant messages, or messages through websites (e.g., Facebook)

•	 Leaving cards, letters, flowers, or presents when the victim doesn’t want them

•	 Watching or following from a distance

•	 Spying with a listening device, camera, or global positioning system (GPS)

•	 Approaching or showing up in places (e.g., home, work, school) when the victim does not want to see 

them

•	 Leaving strange or potentially threatening items for the victim to find

•	 Sneaking into the victim’s home or car and doing things to scare the victim by letting them know they 

(perpetrator) had been there

•	 Damaging the victim’s personal property, pets or belongings

•	 Harming or threatening to harm the victim’s pet

•	 Making threats to physically harm the victim

Criteria for stalking victimization: Victim must have experienced multiple stalking tactics or a single stalking tactic 

multiple times by the same perpetrator and:

•	 felt fearfuli

 or

•	 believed that they or someone close to them would be harmed or killed as a result of the perpetrator’s 

behavior

i. Legal statutes vary regarding the requirement of victim fear during a stalking episode. Similarly, there is debate in the stalking field about 

the necessity of requiring a criterion of fear in measures of stalking prevalence. If a criterion of fear is used, it is also not clear how much 

fear is required to be considered a victim of stalking. In stalking situations, victims may vary in their assessment of the danger of the situation and consequently report varying levels of fear, such as low or no fear even if the situation would cause a “reasonable person” to feel 

afraid. Some in the field have used other ways of capturing similar constructs of fear.
UNIFORM DEFINITIONS 15

Psychological Aggression

Use of verbal and non-verbal communication with the intent to: a) harm another person mentally or emotionally, 

and/or b) exert control over another person.

Psychologically aggressive acts are not physical acts of violence, and in some cases may not be perceived

as aggression because they are covert and manipulative in nature. Nevertheless, psychological aggression

is an essential component of intimate partner violence for a number of reasons. First, psychological aggression 

frequently co-occurs with other forms of intimate partner violence and research suggests that it often precedes 

physical and sexual violence in violent relationships.13 Second, acts of psychological aggression can significantly 

influence the impact of other forms of intimate partner violence (e.g., the fear resulting from being hit by an 

intimate partner will likely be greater had the intimate partner previously threatened to kill the victim). Third, 

research suggests that the impact of psychological aggression by an intimate partner is every bit as significant 

as that of physical violence by an intimate partner.14 However, further work needs to be done related to the 

measurement of psychological aggression, particularly how to determine when psychologically aggressive 

behavior crosses the threshold into psychological abuse.ii

Psychological aggression can include, but is not limited to:

•	 Expressive aggression (e.g., name-calling, humiliating, degrading, acting angry in a way that seems 

dangerous).

•	 Coercive control (e.g., limiting access to transportation, money, friends, and family; excessive monitoring 

of a person’s whereabouts and communications; monitoring or interfering with electronic communication 

(e.g., emails, instant messages, social media) without permission; making threats to harm self; or making 

threats to harm a loved one or possession).

•	 Threat of physical or sexual violence (e.g., “I’ll kill you;” “I’ll beat you up if you don’t have sex with me;” 

brandishing a weapon)—use of words, gestures, or weapons to communicate the intent to cause death, 

disability, injury, or physical harm. Threats also include the use of words, gestures, or weapons

to communicate the intent to compel a person to engage in sex acts or sexual contact when the person 

is either unwilling or unable to consent.

•	 Control of reproductive or sexual health (e.g., refusal to use birth control; coerced pregnancy 

terminations).

•	 Exploitation of victim’s vulnerability (e.g., immigration status, disability, undisclosed sexual orientation).

•	 Exploitation of perpetrator’s vulnerability (e.g., perpetrator’s use of real or perceived disability, 

immigration status to control a victim’s choices or limit a victim’s options). For example, telling a victim 

“if you call the police, I could be deported.”

•	 Gaslighting (i.e., “mind games”) – presenting false information to the victim with the intent of making 

them doubt their own memory and perception.

ii. The most recent IPV definitions expert panel discussed how to best define the continuum of psychological aggression and how to best

delineate the point at which psychological aggression becomes psychological abuse. One suggestion was to define psychological abuse 

as a pattern of psychologically aggressive acts that result in a negative impact upon the victim. However, the panel was not able to decide 

how to define a pattern of psychologically aggressive acts and how to define the impact or set of impacts that suggest psychological 

abuse.
16

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS

Victim

Person who is the target of IPV.

Perpetrator

Person who inflicts the IPV.

Violent Episode

A single act or series of acts of violence that are perceived to be connected to each other and that may persist 

over a period of minutes, hours, or days. A violent episode may involve single or multiple types of violence

(e.g., physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, and/or psychological aggression).

Most Recent Violent Episode Perpetrated by An Intimate Partner

For victims who have had only one violent intimate partner, the most recent violent episode perpetrated by that 

intimate partner; for victims who have had more than one violent intimate partner, the violent episode perpetrated 

most recently, by the violent partner who committed it. Thus, the most recent violent episode perpetrated by an 

intimate partner may have been perpetrated by someone other than the victim’s current or most recent intimate 

partner. For example, if a woman has been victimized by both her ex-husband and her current/most recent 

boyfriend, questions about the most recent violent episode would refer to the episode involving whichever 

intimate partner victimized her most recently, not necessarily the one with whom she is currently or most recently 

in a relationship.

Pattern of Violence

The way that violence is distributed over time in terms of frequency, severity, or type of violent episode

(i.e., physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, and/or psychological aggression).

Terms Associated with the Circumstances and Consequences of Violence

Control of Reproductive or Sexual Health

Includes controlling or attempting to control a partner’s reproductive health or decision making. This also

includes SV behaviors by the perpetrator that increase the risk for sexually transmitted disease and other

adverse sexual health consequences (e.g., unintended and frequent pregnancies). Examples include not allowing 

the use of birth control, coerced or forced pregnancy terminations, and forced sterilization because of abuse.15

Disability

The Americans with Disabilities Act defines a disability as “a physical or mental impairment that substantially 

limits one or more major life activities.”16 Major life activities include, but are not limited to, caring for oneself, 

performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, lifting, bending, speaking, 

breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, maintaining emotional stability, communicating, and 

working.17

Illness

An abnormal process in which aspects of the social, physical, emotional, or intellectual condition and function

of a person are diminished or impaired compared with that person’s previous condition.15 An illness can

be a short- or long-term condition.

Law Enforcement

Police, as well as tribal authorities, prison authorities, and campus authorities (not an exhaustive list).
UNIFORM DEFINITIONS 17

Medical Health Care

•	 Inpatient: Treatment by a physician or other health care professional related to the physical health of the 

victim who has been admitted to a hospital.

•	 Outpatient: Treatment by a physician or other health care professional related to the physical health

of the victim who has not been admitted to a hospital or other health care institution. Includes treatment 

in an emergency department.

Mental Health Care

Includes individual or group care by a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, or other counselor related

to the mental health of the victim. It may involve inpatient or outpatient treatment. Mental health care excludes 

substance abuse treatment. It includes pastoral counseling if such counseling is specifically related to the mental 

health of the victim.

Physical Injury

Any physical harm, including death, occurring to the body resulting from exposure to thermal, mechanical, 

electrical, or chemical energy interacting with the body in amounts or rates that exceed the threshold

of physiological tolerance, or from the absence of such essentials as oxygen or heat. Examples of physical injury 

include bruises, cuts, burns, broken bones and head injuries.

Physical Violence

Physical violence is defined as the intentional use of physical force with the potential for causing death, disability, 

injury, or harm. Physical violence includes, but is not limited to: scratching, pushing, shoving, throwing, grabbing, 

biting, choking, shaking, hair-pulling, slapping, punching, hitting, burning, use of a weapon (gun, knife, or other 

object), and use of restraints or one’s body, size, or strength against another person. Physical violence also 

includes coercing other people to commit any of the above acts.

Psychological Functioning

The intellectual, developmental, emotional, behavioral, or social role functioning of the victim. Changes

in psychological functioning can be either temporary (i.e., persisting for 180 days or less), intermittent, or chronic 

(i.e., likely to be of an extended and continuous duration persisting for a period greater than 180 days).

Examples of changes in psychological functioning include increases in or development of anxiety, depression, 

insomnia, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, dissociation, inattention, memory impairment,

self-medication, self-mutilation, sexual dysfunction, hypersexuality, and attempted or completed suicide.

Sexual Trafficking

The recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of a commercial 

sex act. In order for a situation to be considered trafficking, it must have at least one of the elements within each 

of the three criteria of: process, means, and goal. If one condition from each criterion is met, the result

is trafficking. For adults, victim consent is irrelevant if one of the means is employed. For children, consent

is irrelevant with or without the means category.19

•	 Process: Recruitment, transportation, transferring, harboring, or receiving

•	 Means: Threat, coercion, abduction, fraud, deceit, deception, or abuse of power

•	 Goal: Prostitution, pornography, violence/sexual exploitation, or involuntary sexual servitude

An example in the context of intimate partner violence includes a perpetrator forcing his wife or girlfriend into 

commercial sex work.

Substance Abuse

Abuse of alcohol or other drugs. This also includes alcohol or other drug dependence.

Substance Abuse Treatment

Any treatment related to alcohol or other drug use, abuse, or dependence.
18

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS
19

RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS FOR RECORD-BASED AND SURVEY SURVEILLANCE

OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS FOR

RECORD-BASED AND SURVEY SURVEILLANCE

OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE
20

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS
21

RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS FOR RECORD-BASED AND SURVEY SURVEILLANCE

OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

I. RECORD-BASED SURVEILLANCE

Record-based surveillance, or archival data collection, that utilizes more than one data source requires a unique 

identifier to link information from separate data sources to each other, to reduce duplication of information 

collected, and to identify repeat visits by the same person.

1.101 Case ID

1.102 Data Source

1.103 Date of First Agency Documentation

2.101 Birth Date of Victim

2.102 Sex of Victim

2.103 Race of Victim

2.104 Ethnicity of Victim

2.105 Primary Language of Victim

2.106 Disability Status of Victim

2.107 Sexual Orientation of Victim

2.108 Trans, Transgender, or Transsexual Identity of Victim

2.109 Marital Status of Victim

2.110 City, State, and County of Victim’s Residence

3.101 Physical Violence by an Intimate Partner in Lifetime

3.102 History of Multiple Episodes of Physical Violence by an Intimate Partner in Lifetime

3.103 Physical Violence by an Intimate Partner in the Past 12 months

3.104 History of Multiple Episodes of Physical Violence by an Intimate Partner in the Past 12 Months

3.201 Sexual Violence by an Intimate Partner in Lifetime

3.202 History of Multiple Episodes of Sexual Violence by an Intimate Partner in Lifetime

3.203 Sexual Violence by an Intimate Partner in the Past 12 Months

3.204 History of Multiple Episodes of Sexual Violence by an Intimate Partner in the Past 12 Months

3.301 Stalking by an Intimate Partner in Lifetime

3.302 History of Multiple Episodes of Stalking by an Intimate Partner in Lifetime

3.303 Stalking by an Intimate Partner in the Past 12 Months

3.304 History of Multiple Episodes of Stalking by an Intimate Partner in the Past 12 Months

3.401 Psychological Aggression by an Intimate Partner in Lifetime

3.402 Psychological Aggression by an Intimate Partner in the Past 12 Months

4.101 Type(s) of Violence in Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.102 Date of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.103 Date of Agency Documentation of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence
22

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS

4.104 City, State, and County of Occurrence of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.105 Victim’s Pregnancy Status at Time of the Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.106 Number of Perpetrators Involved in Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.107 Relationship of Victim and Perpetrator at Time of the Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.108 Cohabitation of Victim and Perpetrator at Time of the Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.109 Length of Intimate Relationship at Time of the Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.110 Length of Time Relationship had Been Violent

4.111 Pattern of Intimate Partner Violence in the Past 12 Months

4.112 Number of Children in Victim’s Home at Time of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.113 Alcohol Use by Victim at Time of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.114 Drug Use by Victim at Time of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.201 Physical Consequences to Victim Attributed to Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.202 Psychological Consequences to Victim Attributed to Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.203 Medical Care Received by Victim Attributed to Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.204 Mental Health Care Received by Victim Attributed to Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.205 Substance Abuse Treatment Received by Victim Attributed to Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner 

Violence

4.206 Significant Life Disruption(s) Attributed to Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.207 Deaths Related to Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.301 Birth Date of Perpetrator of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.302 Sex of Perpetrator of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.303 Race of Perpetrator of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.304 Ethnicity of Perpetrator of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.305 Primary Language of Perpetrator of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.306 Disability Status of Perpetrator of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.307 Sexual Orientation of Perpetrator of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.308 Trans, Transgender, or Transsexual Identity of Perpetrator of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner 

Violence

4.309 City, State, and County of Residence of Perpetrator of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.310 Alcohol Use by Perpetrator of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.311 Drug Use by Perpetrator of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.312 Weapons Used by Perpetrator in Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence
23

RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS FOR RECORD-BASED AND SURVEY SURVEILLANCE

OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

II. SURVEY SURVEILLANCE

Survey surveillance involves ongoing and systematic data collection from a representative sample

of the population of interest for analysis and interpretation, collecting data directly from individual

who may have been affected by the condition under surveillance.

1.101 Case ID

2.101 Birth Date of Victim

2.102 Sex of Victim

2.103 Race of Victim 

2.104 Ethnicity of Victim

2.105 Primary Language of Victim

2.106 Disability Status of Victim

2.107 Sexual Orientation of Victim

2.108 Trans, Transgender, or Transsexual Identity of Victim

2.109 Marital Status of Victim

2.110 City, State, and County of Victim’s Residence

2.111 Negative Physical Health Conditions in Lifetime

3.101 Physical Violence by an Intimate Partner in Lifetime

3.102 History of Multiple Episodes of Physical Violence by an Intimate Partner in Lifetime

3.103 Physical Violence by an Intimate Partner in the Past 12 Months

3.104 History of Multiple Episodes of Physical Violence by an Intimate Partner in the Past 12 Months

3.201 Sexual Violence by an Intimate Partner in Lifetime

3.202 History of Multiple Episodes of Sexual Violence by an Intimate Partner in Lifetime

3.203 Sexual Violence by an Intimate Partner in the Past 12 Months

3.204 History of Multiple Episodes of Sexual Violence by an Intimate Partner in the Past 12 Months

3.301 Stalking by an Intimate Partner in Lifetime

3.302 History of Multiple Episodes of Stalking by an Intimate Partner in Lifetime

3.303 Stalking by an Intimate Partner in the Past 12 Months

3.304 History of Multiple Episodes of Stalking by an Intimate Partner in the Past 12 Months

3.401 Psychological Aggression by an Intimate Partner in Lifetime

3.402 Psychological Aggression by an Intimate Partner in the Past 12 Months

4.101 Type(s) of Violence in Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.102 Date of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.104 City, State, and County of Occurrence of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.105 Victim’s Pregnancy Status at Time of the Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence
24

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS

4.106 Number of Perpetrators Involved in Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.107 Relationship of Victim and Perpetrator at Time of the Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.108 Cohabitation of Victim and Perpetrator at Time of the Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.109 Length of Intimate Relationship at Time of the Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.110 Length of Time Relationship had Been Violent

4.111 Pattern of Intimate Partner Violence in the Past 12 Months

4.112 Number of Children in Victim’s Home at Time of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.113 Alcohol Use by Victim at Time of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.114 Drug Use by Victim at Time of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.201 Physical Consequences to Victim Attributed to Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.202 Psychological Consequences to Victim Attributed to Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.203 Medical Care Received by Victim Attributed to Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.204 Mental Health Care Received by Victim Attributed to Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.205 Substance Abuse Treatment Received by Victim Attributed to Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner 

Violence

4.206 Significant Life Disruption(s) Attributed to Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.301 Birth Date of Perpetrator of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.302 Sex of Perpetrator of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.303 Race of Perpetrator of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.304 Ethnicity of Perpetrator of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.305 Primary Language of Perpetrator of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.306 Disability Status of Perpetrator of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.307 Sexual Orientation of Perpetrator of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.308 Trans, Transgender, or Transsexual Identity of Perpetrator of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner 

Violence

4.309 City, State, and County of Residence of Perpetrator of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.310 Alcohol Use by Perpetrator of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.311 Drug Use By Perpetrator of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.312 Weapons Used by Perpetrator in Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence
25

RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS FOR RECORD-BASED AND SURVEY SURVEILLANCE

OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE
26

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS
RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS FOR INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE SURVEILLANCE 27

RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS

FOR INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE SURVEILLANCE
28

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS
IDENTIFYING INFORMATION 29

IDENTIFYING INFORMATION

Recommended Data Elements

1.101 Case ID

1.102 Data Source

1.103 Date of First Agency Documentation
30

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS
IDENTIFYING INFORMATION 31

1.101 CASE ID

Description/Definition

A required, unique identification code used by those compiling IPV surveillance data.

Uses

Ensures that entered or accessed records correspond with the proper victim. It also facilitates data linkage for 

administrative and research purposes.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

To protect victim privacy and confidentiality, access to this data element must be limited to authorized personnel. 

Case ID may be assigned by the agency compiling IPV surveillance data, or it may be an identifier previously 

assigned by the contributing data source. Case ID may or may not be identical to the identifier created to allow 

linkage across multiple sources.

Data Type (and Field Length)

CX - extended composite ID with check digit (20). See Technical Notes.

Repetition

No.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Component 1 is the identifier.

Component 2 is the check digit.

Component 3 is the code indicating the check digit scheme employed.

Components 4-6 are not used unless needed for local purposes.

Enter the primary identifier used by the facility to identify the victim in Component 1. If none or unknown

is applicable, then enter “” or unknown in Component 1, and do not make entries in the remaining components. 

Components 2 and 3 are for optional use when a check digit scheme is employed.

Example, when M11 refers to the algorithm used to generate the check digit:

Component 1 = 1234567

Component 2 = 6

Component 3 = M11

Data Standards or Guidelines

Health Level 7, Version 3.020
32

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS

1.102 DATA SOURCE

Description/Definition

Agency or source from which IPV surveillance information is abstracted.

Uses

Identifies the agency or organization that supplied data for this victim. It will enable linkage of multiple

within-agency contacts for the same victim.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Discussion

No single agency is likely to collect all of the data elements recommended. As a consequence, it is likely that 

anyone setting up a surveillance system will need to combine data from a number of sources (e.g., health care 

records and police records) using a relational database. This will allow information on data elements to be 

gathered from each data source used. The mechanics of how to set up relational databases are not discussed 

in this document. A unique identifier will need to be created to allow for linkage across all data sources included. 

This identifier may or may not be identical to the data element 1.101 Case ID.

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60)

Repetition

No.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

01 Emergency department

02 Other hospital department

03 Other non-hospital health care, including mental health

04 Police/Sheriff/Law enforcement

05 Prosecutor/District attorney

06 Other court-related or criminal justice-related agency

07 Women’s shelter/Domestic or family violence program

08 Rape crisis center

09 Telephone hotline for victim services, other than those provided by a women’s shelter, 

domestic or family violence program, or rape crisis center

10 Other victim service agencies

11 Other social service agencies, other than victim service agencies

12 Coroner or medical examiner

13 Vital statistics office within state health department

14 Other agency or data source

Sometimes a women’s shelter, domestic or family violence program, or rape crisis center also provides 

telephone hotline services for victims. If such telephone hotlines are the data source, code as 07 or 08.
IDENTIFYING INFORMATION 33

1.103 DATE OF FIRST AGENCY DOCUMENTATION

Description/Definition

Date when the agency providing data to the IPV surveillance system first documented IPV victimization for this 

person.

Uses

Can be used in conjunction with data element 2.101 Birth Date of Victim to calculate the victim’s age at the time 

of first agency documentation of IPV victimization for this person.

It can also be used in conjunction with 4.103 Date of Agency Documentation of Most Recent Episode of Intimate 

Partner Violence to determine if agency documentation of any IPV victimization preceded agency documentation 

of most recent violent episode.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Discussion

It is possible that the victim will have contacts with an agency that precede agency recognition or documentation 

of IPV victimization or that precede other disclosure of IPV (e.g., victims often wait to disclose violence to 

health care practitioners until they trust and feel comfortable with their providers). This data element reflects the 

date when the IPV victimization was first documented in the records of the agency providing data to the IPV 

surveillance system. If documentation of IPV results from routine screening or other disclosure, there may

be no specific violent episode related to the date of documentation.

If there has been no agency documentation of IPV victimization prior to the most recent violent episode, then 

this data element will be identical to 4.103 Date of Agency Documentation of Most Recent Episode of Intimate 

Partner Violence.

Data Type (and Field Length)

TS — time stamp (26).

Repetition

No.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

See the definition of TS in the Technical Notes at the end of this document.

Other References

ASTM21
34

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS
VICTIM DEMOGRAPHICS 35

VICTIM DEMOGRAPHICS

Recommended Data Elements

2.101 Birth Date of Victim

2.102 Sex of Victim

2.103 Race of Victim

2.104 Ethnicity of Victim

2.105 Primary Language of Victim

2.106 Disability Status of Victim

2.107 Sexual Orientation of Victim

2.108 Trans, Transgender, or Transsexual Identity of Victim

2.109 Marital Status of Victim

2.110 City, State, and County of Victim’s Residence

2.111 Negative Physical Health Conditions in Lifetime
36

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS
VICTIM DEMOGRAPHICS 37

2.101 BIRTH DATE OF VICTIM

Description/Definition

Date of birth of the victim.

Uses

Can be used to calculate the victim’s age, and to distinguish between victims with the same name.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

If date of birth is not known, the year can be estimated from the victim’s age. Birth Date of Victim can be used 

in conjunction with data element 4.102 Date of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence to calculate 

the victim’s age at the time that episode occurred. This data element can also be used in conjunction with data 

element 4.103 Date of Agency Documentation of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence to calculate 

victim’s age at that time.

Data Type (and Field Length)

TS-time stamp (26).

Repetition

No.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Year, month, and day of birth are entered in the format YYYYMMDD. For example, a birth date of August 12, 

1946, would be encoded as 19460812.

See method recommended under TS-time stamp in the Technical Notes at the end of this document for 

estimating victim’s age.

Data Standards or Guidelines

ASTM21, Health Level 7, Version 3.020, Implementation Guidance on Data Collection Standards for Race, Ethnicity, 

Sex, Primary Language, and Disability Status22
38

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS

2.102 SEX OF VICTIM

Description/Definition

Sex of victim.

Uses

Standard demographic and identifying information.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

The United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) requires, to the extent possible, the 

standardized collection of race, ethnicity, primary language, sex, and disability status in all national population 

health surveys that use self-reported information. Implementation guidance for these standards is available from 

DHHS.21

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

No.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

1 Male

2 Female

3 Other (Specify)

9 Unknown or undetermined

Data Standards or Guidelines

ASTM21, Health Level 7, Version 3.020, Implementation Guidance on Data Collection Standards for Race, Ethnicity, 

Sex, Primary Language, and Disability Status22
VICTIM DEMOGRAPHICS 39

2.103 RACE OF VICTIM

Description/Definition

Race of victim.

Uses

Standard demographic and identifying information on victim. Data on race are used in public health surveillance, 

and in epidemiologic, behavioral and social science, clinical, and health services research. Although the 

biological significance of race has been scientifically questioned, data on race retain use, albeit limited, in public 

health surveillance and epidemiologic, clinical, and health services research.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

Race is a concept used to differentiate population groups largely on the basis of physical characteristics 

transmitted by descent. Racial categories are neither precise nor mutually exclusive, and the concept of race 

lacks clear scientific definition. The common use of race in the United States draws upon differences not only 

in physical attributes, but also in ancestry and geographic origins. The United States Department of Health and 

Human Services (DHHS) requires, to the extent possible, the standardized collection of race, ethnicity, primary 

language, sex, and disability status in all national population health surveys that use self-reported information.21

The DHHS coding categories provide more extensive information than the minimum categories recommended 

by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).23 For comparison purposes, the DHHS categories can be 

aggregated into the five OMB categories. Specifically, the DHHS codes 1 through 3 correspond to the OMB 

categories of White, Black or African-American, and American Indian or Alaska Native, respectively. Combining 

codes 4 through 10 creates the OMB category of Asian and combining the codes 11 through 14 creates the 

OMB category of Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander.

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

More than one code is allowed for multiple racial categories.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

01 White

02 Black or African American

03 American Indian or Alaska Native

04 Asian Indian

05 Chinese

06 Filipino

07 Japanese

08 Korean

09 Vietnamese

10 Other Asian (specify)

11 Native Hawaiian

12 Guamanian or Chamorro

13 Samoan

14 Other Pacific Islander (specify)

15 Other race (specify)

99 Unknown
40

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS

Data Standards or Guidelines

Implementation Guidance on Data Collection Standards for Race, Ethnicity, Sex, Primary Language, and 

Disability Status22

Revisions to the Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity23

Other References

Core Health Data Elements (National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics)24
VICTIM DEMOGRAPHICS 41

2.104 ETHNICITY OF VICTIM

Description/Definition

Ethnicity of victim. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity refers to a person of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, South

or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race. The term “Spanish origin” can

be used in addition to “Hispanic or Latino.”

Uses

Standard demographic and identifying information for victim. Data on ethnicity are used in public health 

surveillance and in epidemiologic, behavioral and social science, clinical, and health services research.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

The United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) requires, to the extent possible, the 

standardized collection of race, ethnicity, primary language, sex, and disability status in all national population 

health surveys that use self-reported information. Implementation guidance for these standards is available from 

DHHS.22

Ethnicity is a concept used to differentiate population groups on the basis of shared cultural characteristics 

or geographic origins. A variety of cultural attributes contribute to ethnic differentiation, including language, 

patterns of social interaction, religion, and styles of dress. However, ethnic differentiation is imprecise and fluid.

It is contingent on a sense of group identity that can change over time and that involves subjective and 

attitudinal influences. Since 1977, the Federal government has sought to standardize data on race and ethnicity 

among it’s agencies. The Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Statistical Policy Directive Number 15: 

Race and Ethnic Standards for Federal Statistics and Administrative Reporting23 was developed to meet Federal 

legislative and program requirements, and these standards are used widely in the public and private sectors. The 

directive provides two basic ethnic categories — Hispanic or Latino and Not of Hispanic or Latino Origin — but 

states that collection of ethnicity data need not be limited to these categories. However, any additional reporting 

that uses more detail must be organized in such a way that the additional categories can be aggregated into the 

two basic groups. OMB prefers that data on race and ethnicity be collected separately. The use of a Hispanic 

category in a combined race/ethnicity makes it impossible to distribute persons of Hispanic ethnicity by race, 

and therefore, reduces the utility of the five basic racial categories by excluding from them persons who would 

otherwise be included.

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

Yes, if multiple ethnic categories apply.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

1 Yes, Mexican, Mexican American, Chicano(a).

2 Yes, Puerto Rican.

3 Yes, Cuban.

4 Yes, another Hispanic, Latino/a or Spanish origin.

5 No, not of Hispanic or Latino origin.

9 Unknown whether of Hispanic or Latino origin.
42

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS

Data Standards or Guidelines

Implementation Guidance on Data Collection Standards for Race, Ethnicity, Sex, Primary Language, and 

Disability Status22

Revisions to the Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity23

Other References

Core Health Data Elements (National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics)24
VICTIM DEMOGRAPHICS 43

2.105 PRIMARY LANGUAGE OF VICTIM

Description/Definition

Primary language of the victim.

Uses

Standard demographic and identifying information for victim. Data on primary language can be used in public 

health surveillance, and in epidemiologic, behavioral and social science, clinical, and health services research.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

The United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) requires, to the extent possible, the 

standardized collection of race, ethnicity, primary language, sex, and disability status in all national population 

health surveys that use self-reported information.22

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

No.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

1 English

2 Spanish

3 Chinese

4 Tagalog

5 French

6 Vietnamese

7 German

8 Korean

9 Russian

10 Arabic

11 Italian

12 Portuguese

13 Polish

14 French Creole

15 Hindi

16 Japanese

17 Persian

18 Urdu

19 Gujarati

20 Greek

55 Other (specify)

99 Unknown
44

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS

Data Standards or Guidelines

Implementation Guidance on Data Collection Standards for Race, Ethnicity, Sex, Primary Language,

and Disability Status22

Revisions to the Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity23
VICTIM DEMOGRAPHICS 45

2.106 DISABILITY STATUS OF VICTIM

Description/Definition

Disability status of the victim.

Uses

Standard demographic and identifying information for victim. Data on disability can be used in public health 

surveillance, and in epidemiologic, behavioral and social science, clinical, and health services research.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

The United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) requires, to the extent possible, the 

standardized collection of race, ethnicity, primary language, sex, and disability status in all national population 

health surveys that use self-reported information.22

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

Yes.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

1 Deaf, difficulty hearing

2 Blind, difficulty in seeing even with glasses

3 Mental or emotional condition resulting in serious difficulty concentrating, remembering

or making decisions, or running errands

4 Physical condition resulting in difficulty in walking, dressing or bathing, or running errands

5 Other (specify)

9 Don’t Know/Unknown

Data Standards or Guidelines

Implementation Guidance on Data Collection Standards for Race, Ethnicity, Sex, Primary Language, and 

Disability Status22

Revisions to the Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity23
46

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS

2.107 SEXUAL ORIENTATION OF VICTIM

Description/Definition

Sexual orientation of the victim.

Uses

Standard sociodemographic information. Data on sexual orientation are used in public health surveillance,

and in epidemiologic, behavioral and social science, clinical, and health services research.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

Prior surveys have shown that the prevalence of intimate partner violence varies by self-identified sexual 

orientation.25 This data element does not establish whether a particular episode involved opposite-sex

or same-sex intimate partners. However, the combination of data elements 2.102 Sex of Victim and 4.302

Sex of Perpetrator of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence can be used to identify whether the most 

recent episode involved opposite-sex or same-sex intimate partners.

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

No.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

1 Heterosexual, or Straight

2 Lesbian

3 Gay

4 Bisexual

5 Other (specify)

9 Unknown
VICTIM DEMOGRAPHICS 47

2.108 TRANS, TRANSGENDER, OR TRANSSEXUAL IDENTITY OF VICTIM

Description/Definition

Whether or not the victim identifies as trans, transgender or transsexual.

Uses

Data on transgender identity can be used in public health surveillance, and in epidemiologic, behavioral and 

social science, clinical, and health services.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

Few studies have evaluated the prevalence of IPV experienced by individuals with a transgender identity, but 

available information suggests there is an association between transgender identity and violence victimization, 

particularly sexual violence victimization.26

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

No.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

1 Trans, transgender or transsexual

2 Not trans, transgender or transsexual

9 Unknown
48

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS

2.109 MARITAL STATUS OF VICTIM

Description/Definition

Victim’s legal marital status at the time when the agency or survey providing data to the IPV surveillance system 

first documented IPV victimization for this person.

Uses

Risk of victimization may vary by legal marital status. Marital status may change over the course of a 

relationship, particularly a violent relationship. For consistency, we recommend recording the victim’s marital 

status at the time the agency or survey providing data to the IPV surveillance system first documented IPV 

victimization for this person.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

Some unmarried partners may be cohabiting. In some states this may qualify as common-law marriage.

See also data element 4.108 Cohabitation of Victim and Perpetrator at Time of the Most Recent Episode

of Intimate Partner Violence.

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

No.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

1 Separated. A person legally separated.

2 Divorced. A person divorced and not remarried.

3 Married. A person currently married. (Includes living together and not living 

together.) Classify civil unions or common-law marriage as married.

4 Single/Never Married. A person who has never been married or whose only 

marriages have been annulled.

5 Widowed. A person widowed and not remarried.

9 Unknown/not stated.

Data Standards or Guidelines

Core Health Data Elements (National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics)24
VICTIM DEMOGRAPHICS 49

2.110 CITY, STATE, AND COUNTY OF VICTIM’S RESIDENCE

Description/Definition

City, state, and county of the victim’s residence at the time the agency or survey providing data to the IPV 

surveillance system first documented IPV victimization for this person.

Uses

Allows examination of the correspondence between the location of the victim’s residence, the perpetrator’s 

residence, and the location of the most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner, and may have 

implications for intervention strategies.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

Additional information (e.g., street address, zip code) can easily be added as components of this element

if data linkage across data sources is desired. However, to protect privacy and confidentiality, access to this level 

of detail must be limited to authorized personnel. The need for victim safety and confidentiality must be taken 

into account if the full extended version of this data element is used.

In conjunction with data elements 4.104 City, State, and County of Occurrence of Most Recent Episode

of Intimate Partner Violence and 4.309 City, State, and County of Residence of Perpetrator of Most Recent 

Episode of Intimate Partner Violence, this data element allows examination of the correspondence between the 

victim’s residence, the perpetrator’s residence, and the location of the most recent violent episode.

Data Type (and Field Length)

XAD — extended address (106).

Repetition

No.

Field Values

Component 3 is the city.

Component 4 is the state or province.

Component 9 is the county/parish code.

Example: Component 3 = Lima

Component 4 = OH

Component 9 = 019

The state or province code entered in Component 4 should be entered as a two-letter postal abbreviation. 

The county/parish code should be entered in Component 9 as the 3-digit Federal Information Processing 

Standards code. See XAD — extended address in the Technical Notes at the end of this document for additional 

information on other possible components of this data element. The numbering of these components

(3, 4, and 9) is consistent with the numbering of components used elsewhere for full XAD coding.

Data Standards or Guidelines

Health Level 7, Version 3.020
50

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS

2.111 NEGATIVE PHYSICAL HEALTH CONDITIONS IN LIFETIME

Description/Definition

Negative lifetime physical health conditions.

Uses

Prior research has established an association between IPV and a range of physical health conditions and health 

behaviors, such as joint disease, current asthma, activity limitations, HIV risk factors, current smoking, heavy/

binge drinking, and not having had a checkup with a doctor in the past year.3

 This data element allows for

an examination of a range of health conditions that may be associated with victim status.

Type of Surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

This element will not indicate a causal link between victim status and health conditions. Examples of health 

conditions that may be examined are: asthma, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diabetes, high blood pressure, 

frequent headaches, chronic pain, difficulty sleeping, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Examples of health 

behaviors that may be examined include: smoking, drug use, alcohol abuse, HIV risk factors, regular doctor 

visits, and overeating.

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

May want to collect data on multiple health conditions.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

0 Victim was known NOT to have experienced physical health conditions in lifetime

1 Victim was known to have experienced physical health conditions in lifetime

9 Unknown what, if any, physical health conditions ever experienced in lifetime
51

VICTIM’S EXPERIENCE OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

There is variability in how intimate partner violence has been conceptualized, with some researchers combining 

physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, and psychological aggression, and others treating these as discrete 

categories. Because prevention strategies for different types of violence may differ, we suggest separating these 

categories for surveillance purposes.

We recognize, however, that multiple types of violence may occur in a single episode. An IPV surveillance system 

should be designed to record each type of violence that occurs to a given victim, even if multiple types occur 

within a single episode. Thus, these data elements cannot provide information about the co-occurrence

of different types of violence within each episode. However, data element 4.101 Type(s) of Violence in Most 

Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence does allow collection of such information for the most recent violent 

episode perpetrated by an intimate partner.

VICTIM’S EXPERIENCE OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE
52

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS
PHYSICAL VIOLENCE BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER 53

PHYSICAL VIOLENCE BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER

Recommended Data Elements

3.101 Physical Violence by an Intimate Partner in Lifetime

3.102 History of Multiple Episodes of Physical Violence by an Intimate Partner in Lifetime

3.103 Physical Violence by an Intimate Partner in the Past 12 Months

3.104 History of Multiple Episodes of Physical Violence by an Intimate Partner in the Past 12 Months
54

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS
PHYSICAL VIOLENCE BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER 55

3.101 PHYSICAL VIOLENCE BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER IN LIFETIME

Description/Definition

Occurrence of physical violence by an intimate partner in the victim’s life.

Uses

Allows differentiation of physical violence from sexual violence, stalking, or psychological aggression

by an intimate partner. It provides information that can be used to calculate lifetime prevalence of physical 

violence by an intimate partner.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

This data element cannot provide a count of the total number of discrete violent episodes, nor can it provide 

information about the co-occurrence of different types of violence within each episode. However, data element

4.101 Type(s) of Violence in Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence does allow collection of such 

information for the most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner.

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

No.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

0 No known episodes of physical violence by an intimate partner occurred in lifetime

1 Physical violence by an intimate partner occurred in lifetime

9 Unknown if physical violence by an intimate partner occurred in lifetime

If any episode of physical violence also involved other types of violence (sexual violence, stalking, psychological 

aggression), the episode should be recorded in data elements for each of those types of violence, as well.
56

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS

3.102 HISTORY OF MULTIPLE EPISODES OF PHYSICAL VIOLENCE

BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER IN LIFETIME

Description/Definition

Indicates whether the victim has experienced more than one episode of physical violence by an intimate partner 

in the victim’s lifetime.

Uses

Provides a measure of whether a victim has been revictimized with regard to physical violence by an intimate 

partner.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

Recall that the definition of a violent episode is “A single act or series of acts of violence that are perceived

to be connected to each other, and that may persist over a period of minutes, hours, or days. A violent 

episode may involve single or multiple types of violence (e.g., physical violence, sexual violence, psychological 

aggression, stalking).”

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

No.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

0 No history of multiple episodes of physical violence by an intimate partner occurred

in lifetime

1 History of multiple episodes of physical violence by an intimate partner occurred in lifetime

9 Unknown if multiple episodes of physical violence by an intimate partner occurred

in lifetime

If, for the data element 3.101 Physical Violence by an Intimate Partner in Lifetime, there was a response of “0” 

(No known episodes of physical violence by an intimate partner occurred in lifetime) or “9” (Unknown if physical 

violence by an intimate partner occurred in lifetime), then this data element should not be used.
PHYSICAL VIOLENCE BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER 57

3.103 PHYSICAL VIOLENCE BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER IN THE PAST

12 MONTHS

Description/Definition

Occurrence of physical violence by an intimate partner in the past 12 months.

Uses

Provides information that can be used to calculate 12-month prevalence of physical violence by an intimate 

partner.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

Recall that the definition of a violent episode is “A single act or series of acts of violence that are perceived

to be connected to each other, and that may persist over a period of minutes, hours, or days. A violent 

episode may involve single or multiple types of violence (e.g., physical violence, sexual violence, psychological 

aggression, stalking).”

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60)

Repetition

No.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

0 No known episodes of physical violence by an intimate partner occurred in the past

12 months

1 Physical violence by an intimate partner occurred in the past 12 months

9 Unknown if physical violence by an intimate partner occurred in the past 12 months

If, for the data element 3.101 Physical Violence by an Intimate Partner in Lifetime, there was a response of “0” 

(No known episodes of physical violence by an intimate partner occurred in lifetime) or “9” (Unknown if physical 

violence by an intimate partner occurred in lifetime), then this data element should not be used.
58

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS

3.104 HISTORY OF MULTIPLE EPISODES OF PHYSICAL VIOLENCE

BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS 

Description/Definition

Occurrence of more than one episode of physical violence by an intimate partner in the past 12 months.

Uses

Provides a measure of whether a victim has been revictimized in the past 12 months with regard to physical 

violence by an intimate partner.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

Recall that the definition of a violent episode is “A single act or series of acts of violence that are perceived

to be connected to each other, and that may persist over a period of minutes, hours, or days. A violent 

episode may involve single or multiple types of violence (e.g., physical violence, sexual violence, psychological 

aggression, stalking).”

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

No.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

0 No history of multiple episodes of physical violence by an intimate partner occurred

in the past 12 months

1 History of multiple episodes of physical violence by an intimate partner occurred

in the past 12 months

9 Unknown if multiple episodes of physical violence by an intimate partner occurred

in the past 12 months

If, for the data element 3.103 Physical Violence by an Intimate Partner in the Past 12 Months, there was

a response of “0” (No known episodes of physical violence by an intimate partner occurred in the past

12 months) or “9” (Unknown if physical violence by an intimate partner occurred in the past 12 months), then

this data element should not be used.
PHYSICAL VIOLENCE BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER 59
60

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS
SEXUAL VIOLENCE BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER 61

SEXUAL VIOLENCE BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER

Recommended Data Elements

3.201 Sexual Violence by an Intimate Partner in Lifetime

3.202 History of Multiple Episodes of Sexual Violence by an Intimate Partner in Lifetime

3.203 Sexual Violence by an Intimate Partner in the Past 12 Months

3.204 History of Multiple Episodes of Sexual Violence by an Intimate Partner in the Past 12 Months
62

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS
SEXUAL VIOLENCE BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER 63

3.201 SEXUAL VIOLENCE BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER IN LIFETIME

Description/Definition

Occurrence of sexual violence by an intimate partner in victim’s lifetime.

Uses

Allows differentiation of sexual violence by an intimate partner from physical violence, stalking, or psychological 

aggression by an intimate partner. It provides information that can be used to calculate lifetime prevalence

of sexual violence by an intimate partner.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Repetition

Yes, if more than one type of sexual violence by an intimate partner occurred.

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Discussion

This data element cannot provide a count of the total number of discrete sexual violence episodes, nor can

it provide information about the co-occurrence of different types of violence within each episode. However, data 

element 4.101 Type(s) of Violence in Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence does allow collection

of such information for the most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner. Because the 

definition of sexual violence includes a number of distinct categories, the codes allow information to be collected 

separately for each of the categories.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

0 No known sexual violence by an intimate partner occurred in lifetime

1 Being penetrated by an intimate partner, however slight, without the victim’s consent,

or involving a victim who is unable to consent or refuse, in lifetime

2 An attempted (non-completed) penetration by an intimate partner, without the victim’s 

consent or involving a victim who is unable to consent or refuse, in lifetime

3 Being made to penetrate an intimate partner or someone else without the victim’s consent, 

or involving a victim who is unable to consent or refuse, in lifetime

4 An attempt by an intimate partner to make a victim penetrate the intimate partner

or someone else without the victim’s consent, or involving a victim who is unable

to consent or refuse, in lifetime

5 Unwanted sexual penetration by an intimate partner that occurs after a person is pressured 

in a nonphysical way to consent or acquiesce, in lifetime

6 Unwanted sexual contact by an intimate partner, in lifetime

7 Non-contact unwanted sexual experiences by an intimate partner, in lifetime

8 Sexual violence by an intimate partner, type unspecified, in lifetime

9 Unknown if any category of sexual violence by an intimate partner occurred, in lifetime

If any episode of sexual violence also involved other types of violence (physical violence, stalking, or 

psychological aggression), the episode should be recorded in data elements for each of those types of violence, 

as well. If the response is code “9” (Unknown if any category of sexual violence by an intimate partner occurred 

in lifetime), then codes “0” through “8” should not be used.
64

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS

3.202 HISTORY OF MULTIPLE EPISODES OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE

BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER IN LIFETIME

Description/Definition

Indicates whether the victim has experienced more than one episode of sexual violence by an intimate

partner in lifetime.

Uses

Provides a measure of whether a victim has been revictimized with regard to sexual violence by an intimate 

partner.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

Recall that the definition of a violent episode is “A single act or series of acts of violence that are perceived

to be connected to each other, and that may persist over a period of minutes, hours, or days. A violent 

episode may involve single or multiple types of violence (e.g., physical violence, sexual violence, psychological 

aggression, stalking).” Although the definition of intimate partner sexual violence includes a number of distinct 

categories, the codes here combine information across categories.

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

No.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

0 History of multiple episodes of sexual violence by an intimate partner occurred in lifetime

1 No history of multiple episodes of sexual violence by an intimate partner occurred

in lifetime

9 Unknown if multiple episodes of sexual violence by an intimate partner occurred in lifetime

If, for the data element 3.201 Sexual Violence by an Intimate Partner in Lifetime, there is a response of “0”

(No known sexual violence by an intimate partner occurred in lifetime) or “9” (Unknown if any category of sexual 

violence by an intimate partner occurred in lifetime), then this data element should not be used.
SEXUAL VIOLENCE BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER 65

3.203 SEXUAL VIOLENCE BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER

IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS

Description/Definition

Occurrence of sexual violence by an intimate partner in the past 12 months.

Uses

Provides information that can be used to calculate 12-month prevalence of sexual violence by an intimate 

partner.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

Recall that the definition of a violent episode is “A single act or series of acts of violence that are perceived

to be connected to each other, and that may persist over a period of minutes, hours, or days. A violent 

episode may involve single or multiple types of violence (e.g., physical violence, sexual violence, psychological 

aggression, stalking).” Because the definition of sexual violence includes a number of distinct categories, the 

codes allow information to be collected separately for each of the categories.

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

Yes, if more than one type of sexual violence by an intimate partner occurred.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

0 No known sexual violence by an intimate partner occurred in the past 12 months

1 Being penetrated by an intimate partner, however slight, without the victim’s consent,

or involving a victim who is unable to consent or refuse, in the past 12 months

2 An attempted (non-completed) penetration by an intimate partner, without the victim’s 

consent or involving a victim who is unable to consent or refuse, in the past 12 months

3 Being made to penetrate an intimate partner or someone else without the victim’s consent, 

or involving a victim who is unable to consent or refuse, in the past 12 months

4 An attempt by an intimate partner to make a victim penetrate the intimate partner

or someone else without the victim’s consent, or involving a victim who is unable to 

consent or refuse, in the past 12 months

5 Unwanted sexual penetration by an intimate partner that occurs after a person is pressured 

in a nonphysical way to consent or acquiesce, in the past 12 months

6 Unwanted sexual contact by an intimate partner, in the past 12 months

7 Non-contact unwanted sexual experiences by an intimate partner, in the past 12 months

8 Sexual violence by an intimate partner in the past 12 months, type unspecified, in the past 

12 months

9 Unknown if any category of sexual violence by an intimate partner occurred, in the past

12 months

If the response is code “9” (Unknown if any category of sexual violence by an intimate partner occurred in the 

past 12 months), then codes “0” through “8” should not be used.
66

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS

If, for the data element 3.201 Sexual Violence by an Intimate Partner in Lifetime, there is a response of “0”

(No known sexual violence by an intimate partner occurred in lifetime) or “9” (Unknown if sexual violence

by an intimate partner occurred in lifetime), then this data element should not be used.
SEXUAL VIOLENCE BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER 67

3.204 HISTORY OF MULTIPLE EPISODES OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE

BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS

Description/Definition

Indicates whether the victim has experienced more than one episode of sexual violence by an intimate partner in 

the past 12 months.

Uses

Provides a measure of whether a victim has been revictimized with regard to sexual violence by an intimate 

partner.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

Recall that the definition of a violent episode is “A single act or series of acts of violence that are perceived

to be connected to each other, and that may persist over a period of minutes, hours, or days. A violent 

episode may involve single or multiple types of violence (e.g., physical violence, sexual violence, psychological 

aggression, stalking).”

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

No.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

0 No history of multiple episodes of sexual violence by an intimate partner occurred in the 

past 12 months

1 History of multiple episodes of sexual violence by an intimate partner occurred in the past 

12 months

9 Unknown if multiple episodes of sexual violence by an intimate partner occurred in the past 

12 months

If, for the data element 3.203 Sexual Violence by an Intimate Partner in the Past 12 Months, there is a response 

of “0” (No known sexual violence by an intimate partner occurred in the past 12 months) or “9” (Unknown if 

any category of sexual violence by an intimate partner occurred in the past 12 months), then this data element 

should not be used.
68

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS
STALKING BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER 69

STALKING BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER

Recommended Data Elements

3.301 Stalking by an Intimate Partner in Lifetime

3.302 History of Multiple Episodes of Stalking by an Intimate Partner in Lifetime

3.303 Stalking by an Intimate Partner in the Past 12 Months

3.304 History of Multiple Episodes of Stalking by an Intimate Partner in the Past 12 Months
70

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS
STALKING BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER 71

3.301 STALKING BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER IN LIFETIME

Description/Definition

Occurrence of stalking by an intimate partner in victim’s lifetime.

Uses

Allows differentiation of stalking by an intimate partner from physical violence, sexual violence, and 

psychological aggression by an intimate partner. It provides information that can be used to calculate lifetime 

prevalence of stalking by an intimate partner.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

Recall that the definition of a violent episode is “A single act or series of acts of violence committed by the same 

perpetrator(s) that are perceived to be connected to each other, and that may persist over a period of minutes, 

hours, or days. A violent episode may involve single or multiple types of violence (e.g., physical violence, sexual 

violence, psychological aggression, stalking).”

By definition, stalking involves the experience of multiple stalking behaviors or a single stalking behavior 

experienced multiple times. Consequently, the experience of a stalking behavior can only be classified

as an episode of stalking if there has been at least one previous stalking behavior experienced by the same 

perpetrator.

This data element cannot provide a count of the total number of discrete stalking episodes, nor can it provide 

information about the co-occurrence of different types of violence within each episode. However, data element 

4.101 Type(s) of Violence in Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence does allow collection of such 

information for the most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner.

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

No.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

0 No known episodes of stalking by an intimate partner occurred in lifetime

1 Stalking by an intimate partner occurred in lifetime

9 Unknown if stalking by an intimate partner occurred in lifetime

If any episode of stalking also involved other types of violence (physical violence, sexual violence,

or psychological aggression), the episode should be recorded in data elements for each of those types

of violence, as well as being recorded for stalking.
72

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS

3.302 HISTORY OF MULTIPLE EPISODES OF STALKING BY AN INTIMATE 

PARTNER IN LIFETIME

Description/Definition

Indicates whether the victim has experienced more than one episode of stalking by an intimate partner

in lifetime.

Uses

Provides a measure of whether a victim has been revictimized with regard to stalking by an intimate partner.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

Recall that the definition of a violent episode is “A single act or series of acts of violence committed by the same 

perpetrator(s) that are perceived to be connected to each other, and that may persist over a period of minutes, 

hours, or days. A violent episode may involve single or multiple types of violence (e.g., physical violence, sexual 

violence, psychological aggression, stalking).”

By definition, stalking involves the experience of multiple stalking behaviors or a single stalking behavior 

experienced multiple times. Consequently, the experience of a stalking behavior can only be classified

as an episode of stalking if there has been at least one previous stalking behavior experienced by the same 

perpetrator.

Generally, multiple stalking behaviors committed by the same perpetrator should be classified as multiple 

episodes unless they are separated by a sufficiently brief amount of time (to be defined by the data collector). 

For example, receiving multiple unwanted phone calls on separate days should likely be considered multiple 

episodes, but receiving multiple unwanted phone calls within a span of several hours should likely be considered 

a single episode.

This data element cannot provide a count of the total number of discrete stalking episodes, nor can it provide 

information about the co-occurrence of different types of violence within each episode. However, data element 

4.101 Type(s) of Violence in Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence does allow collection of such 

information for the most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner.

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

No.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

0 No history of multiple episodes of stalking by an intimate partner occurred in lifetime

1 Yes, history of multiple episodes of stalking by an intimate partner occurred in lifetime

9 Unknown if multiple episodes of stalking by an intimate partner occurred in lifetime

If, for the data element 3.301 Stalking by an Intimate Partner in Lifetime there was a response of “0” (No known 

episodes of stalking by an intimate partner occurred in lifetime) or “9” (Unknown if stalking by an intimate partner 

occurred in lifetime), then this data element should not be used.
STALKING BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER 73

3.303 STALKING BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS

Description/Definition

Occurrence of stalking by an intimate partner in the past 12 months.

Uses

Provides information that can be used to calculate 12-month prevalence of stalking by an intimate partner.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

Recall that the definition of a violent episode is “A single act or series of acts of violence committed by the same 

perpetrator(s) that are perceived to be connected to each other, and that may persist over a period of minutes, 

hours, or days. A violent episode may involve single or multiple types of violence (e.g., physical violence, sexual 

violence, psychological aggression, stalking).”

By definition, stalking involves the experience of multiple stalking behaviors or a single stalking behavior 

experienced multiple times. Consequently, the experience of a stalking behavior can only be classified

as an episode of stalking if there has been at least one previous stalking behavior experienced by the same 

perpetrator.

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

No.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

0 No known episodes of stalking by an intimate partner occurred in the past 12 months

1 Stalking by an intimate partner occurred in the past 12 months

9 Unknown if stalking by an intimate partner occurred in the past 12 months

If, for the data element 3.301 Stalking by an Intimate Partner in Lifetime there was a response of “0” (No known 

episodes of stalking by an intimate partner occurred in lifetime) or “9” (Unknown if stalking by an intimate partner 

occurred in lifetime), then this data element should not be used.
74

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS

3.304 HISTORY OF MULTIPLE EPISODES OF STALKING BY AN INTIMATE 

PARTNER IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS

Description/Definition

Indicates whether the victim has experienced more than one episode of stalking by an intimate partner in the 

past 12 months.

Uses

Provides a measure of whether a victim has been revictimized with regard to stalking by an intimate partner

in the past 12 months.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

Recall that the definition of a violent episode is “A single act or series of acts of violence committed by the same 

perpetrator(s) that are perceived to be connected to each other, and that may persist over a period of minutes, 

hours, or days. A violent episode may involve single or multiple types of violence (e.g., physical violence, sexual 

violence, psychological aggression, stalking).”

By definition, stalking involves the experience of multiple stalking behaviors or a single stalking behavior 

experienced multiple times. Consequently, the experience of a stalking behavior can only be classified

as an episode of stalking if there has been at least one previous stalking behavior experienced by the same 

perpetrator.

Generally, multiple stalking behaviors committed by the same perpetrator should be classified as multiple 

episodes unless they are separated by a sufficiently brief amount of time (to be defined by the data collector). 

For example, receiving multiple unwanted phone calls on separate days should likely be considered multiple 

episodes, but receiving multiple unwanted phone calls within a span of several hours should likely be considered 

a single episode.

This data element cannot provide a count of the total number of discrete stalking episodes, nor can it provide 

information about the co-occurrence of different types of violence within each episode. However, data element 

4.101 Type(s) of Violence in Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence does allow collection of such 

information for the most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner.

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

No.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

0 No history of multiple episodes of stalking by an intimate partner occurred in the past

12 months

1 Yes, history of multiple episodes of stalking by an intimate partner occurred in the past 12 

months

9 Unknown if multiple episodes of stalking by an intimate partner occurred in the past

12 months
STALKING BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER 75

If, for the data element 3.303 Stalking by an Intimate Partner in the Past 12 Months, there was a response

of “0” (No known episodes of stalking by an intimate partner occurred in the past 12 months) or “9” (Unknown

if stalking by an intimate partner occurred in the past 12 months), then this data element should not be used.
76

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS
PSYCHOLOGICAL AGGRESSION BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER 77

PSYCHOLOGICAL AGGRESSION BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER

Recommended Data Elements

3.401 Psychological Aggression by an Intimate Partner in Lifetime

3.402 Psychological Aggression by an Intimate Partner in the Past 12 Months
78

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS
PSYCHOLOGICAL AGGRESSION BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER 79

3.401 PSYCHOLOGICAL AGGRESSION BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER

IN LIFETIME

Description/Definition

Occurrence of psychological aggression by an intimate partner in lifetime.

Uses

Allows differentiation of psychological aggression from physical violence, sexual violence, or stalking. It provides 

information that can be used to calculate lifetime prevalence of psychological aggression by an intimate partner.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

This data element cannot provide a count of the total number of discrete violent episodes, nor can it provide 

information about the co-occurrence of different types of violence within each episode. However, data element 

4.101 Type(s) of Violence in Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence, does allow collection of such 

information for the most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner.

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

No.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

0 No known episodes of psychological aggression by an intimate partner occurred in lifetime

1 Psychological aggression by an intimate partner occurred in lifetime

9 Unknown if psychological aggression by an intimate partner occurred in lifetime

If any episode of psychological aggression also involved other types of violence (physical violence, sexual 

violence, or stalking), the episode should be recorded for each of those types of violence, as well as being 

recorded for psychological aggression.
80

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS

3.402 PSYCHOLOGICAL AGGRESSION BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER

IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS

Description/Definition

Occurrence of psychological aggression by an intimate partner in the past 12 months.

Uses

Provides information that can be used to calculate 12-month prevalence of psychological aggression

by an intimate partner.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

This data element cannot provide a count of the total number of discrete violent episodes, nor can it provide 

information about the co-occurrence of different types of violence within each episode. However, data element 

4.101 Type(s) of Violence in Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence, does allow collection of such 

information for the most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner.

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

No.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

0 No known episodes of psychological aggression by an intimate partner occurred

in the past 12 months

1 Psychological aggression by an intimate partner occurred in the past 12 months

9 Unknown if psychological aggression by an intimate partner occurred in the past

12 months

If, for data element 3.401 Psychological Aggression by an Intimate Partner in Lifetime, there is a response of “0” 

(No known episodes of psychological aggression by an intimate partner occurred in lifetime) or “9” (Unknown if 

psychological aggression by an intimate partner occurred in lifetime), then this data element should not be used.
PSYCHOLOGICAL AGGRESSION BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER 81
82

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS
MOST RECENT VIOLENT EPISODE PERPETRATED BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER 83

MOST RECENT VIOLENT EPISODE PERPETRATED BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER

A violent episode is a single act or series of acts of violence that are perceived to be connected to each other 

and that may persist over a period of minutes, hours, or days. A violent episode may involve single or multiple 

types of violence (e.g., physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, and/or psychological aggression).

For victims who have had only one violent intimate partner, the most recent violent episode perpetrated by an 

intimate partner refers to the most recent violent episode perpetrated by that intimate partner. For victims who 

have had more than one violent intimate partner, the most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate 

partner refers to the violent episode perpetrated most recently by whichever intimate partner committed that act 

of violence. Thus, the most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner may have been perpetrated 

by someone other than the victim’s current intimate partner. For example, if a woman has been victimized by 

both her ex-husband and her current boyfriend, questions about the most recent violent episode would refer

to the episode involving whichever intimate partner victimized her most recently, not necessarily the one with 

whom she is currently in a relationship.
84

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS
DETAILS OF MOST RECENT VIOLENT EPISODE 85

DETAILS OF MOST RECENT VIOLENT EPISODE

Recommended Data Elements

4.101 Type(s) of Violence in Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.102 Date of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.103 Date of Agency Documentation of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.104 City, State, and County of Occurrence of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.105 Victim’s Pregnancy Status at Time of the Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.106 Number of Perpetrators Involved in Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.107 Relationship of Victim and Perpetrator at Time of the Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.108 Cohabitation of Victim and Perpetrator at Time of the Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.109 Length of Intimate Relationship at Time of the Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.110 Length of Time Relationship Had Been Violent

4.111 Pattern of Intimate Partner Violence in the Past 12 Months

4.112 Number of Children in Victim’s Home at Time of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.113 Alcohol Use by Victim at Time of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.114 Drug Use by Victim at Time of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence
86

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS
DETAILS OF MOST RECENT VIOLENT EPISODE 87

4.101 TYPE(S) OF VIOLENCE IN MOST RECENT EPISODE OF INTIMATE

PARTNER VIOLENCE

Description/Definition

Type(s) of violence experienced by the victim in the most recent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner.

Uses

Identifies all the types of violence that occurred in the most recent violent episode.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

Although the IPV surveillance system cannot provide information about the co-occurrence of different types

of violence across multiple violent episodes, this data element, by use of repeated coding, does provide 

information about each type of violence in the most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner.

By definition, stalking involves the experience of multiple stalking behaviors or a single stalking behavior 

experienced multiple times. Consequently, the experience of a stalking behavior can only be classified

as an episode of stalking if there has been at least one previous stalking behavior experienced by the same 

perpetrator.

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

Record-based surveillance: Yes, to record each type of violence for a single perpetrator.

Survey surveillance: Yes, to record each type of violence by one or more perpetrators.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

1 Most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner involved physical violence

2 Unknown if most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner involved 

physical violence

3 Most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner involved sexual violence

4 Unknown if most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner involved sexual 

violence

5 Most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner involved stalking

6 Unknown if most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner involved 

stalking

7 Most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner involved psychological 

aggression

8 Unknown if most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner involved 

psychological aggression
88

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS

4.102 DATE OF MOST RECENT EPISODE OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

Description/Definition

Date when the most recent episode of intimate partner violence ended.

Uses

Can be used in conjunction with 2.101 Birth Date of Victim to calculate the victim’s age at the time of the 

most recent violent episode. This data element can also be used in conjunction with 4.103 Date of Agency 

Documentation of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence to calculate the length of time between

the occurrence of the violent episode and the time of agency contact.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

This data element provides information about the recency of the intimate partner violence, regardless of what 

form the violent episode took (e.g., physical violence, sexual violence, psychological aggression, stalking).

Data Type (and Field Length)

TS-time stamp (26).

Repetition

Survey surveillance: Yes, if multiple perpetrators.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Year, month, and day are entered in the format YYYYMMDD. For example, the date June 7, 1999, would

be encoded as 19990607. See also TS in the Technical Notes at the end of this document.

Data Standards or Guidelines

ASTM21 and Health Level 7, Version 3.020
DETAILS OF MOST RECENT VIOLENT EPISODE 89

4.103 DATE OF AGENCY DOCUMENTATION OF MOST RECENT

EPISODE OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

Description/Definition

Date when most recent episode of intimate partner violence was first documented by the agency providing data 

to the IPV surveillance system.

Uses

Can be used in conjunction with data element 2.101 Birth Date of Victim to calculate the victim’s age at the time 

of agency documentation of IPV victimization after the most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate 

partner. Some research suggests that there may be a substantial delay between the occurrence of a violent 

episode and agency contact related to the violent episode. This data element allows measurement of the length 

of the delay between the violent episode and the agency documentation following that episode. It can

be compared with data element 4.102 Date of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence to calculate the 

length of time between the time the violent episode ended and the time of agency documentation.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Discussion

Data element 1.103 Date of First Agency Documentation records the date when the agency providing data to 

the IPV surveillance system first documented IPV victimization for this person, whereas data element 4.103 Date 

of Agency Documentation of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence records agency documentation 

of the most recent violent episode. If there has been no agency documentation of IPV victimization prior 

to the most recent violent episode, then this data element will be identical to 1.103 Date of First Agency 

Documentation.

Data Type (and Field Length)

TS-Time Stamp (26).

Repetition

No.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

See the definition of TS in the Technical Notes at the end of this document.
90

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS

4.104 CITY, STATE, AND COUNTY OF OCCURRENCE OF MOST

RECENT EPISODE OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

Description/Definition

City, state, and county of occurrence of the most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner.

Uses

Allows examination of the correspondence between the location of the victim’s residence, the perpetrator’s 

residence, and the location of the most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

Additional information (e.g., street address, zip code) can easily be added as components of this element

if data linkage across data sources is desired. However, to protect privacy and confidentiality, access to this level 

of detail must be limited to authorized personnel. Surveillance system users who do not convert street address 

to census block groups or encrypt addresses need to be aware that they may be acquiring the victim’s street 

address when they acquire the street address of the place of occurrence of the most recent violent episode 

perpetrated by an intimate partner. The need for victim safety and confidentiality must be taken into account

if the full extended version of this data element is used.

In conjunction with data elements 2.110 City, State, and County of Victim’s Residence and 4.309 City, State, 

and County of Residence of Perpetrator of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence, this data element 

allows examination of the correspondence between the victim’s residence, the perpetrator’s residence, and the 

location of the most recent violent episode.

Data Type (and Field Length)

XAD — extended address (106).

Repetition

Survey surveillance: Yes, if multiple perpetrators.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Component 3 is the city.

Component 4 is the state or province.

Component 9 is the county/parish code.

Example:

Component 3 = Lima

Component 4 = OH

Component 9 = 019

The state or province code entered in Component 4 should be entered as a two- letter postal abbreviation. 

The county/parish code should be entered in Component 9 as the 3-digit Federal Information Processing 

Standards code. See XAD — extended address in the Technical Notes at the end of this document for additional 

information on other possible components of this data element. The numbering of these components

(3, 4, and 9) is consistent with the numbering of components used elsewhere for full XAD coding.

Data Standards or Guidelines

Health Level 7, Version 3.020
DETAILS OF MOST RECENT VIOLENT EPISODE 91

4.105 VICTIM’S PREGNANCY STATUS AT TIME OF THE MOST

RECENT EPISODE OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

Description/Definition

Victim’s pregnancy status at the time of the most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner.

Uses

May assist in determining risk of adverse outcomes for mother or unborn child. May also be used to evaluate 

possible differences in risk related to pregnancy.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

Survey surveillance: Yes, if multiple perpetrators.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

0 Victim was not pregnant at the time of most recent episode of intimate partner violence

1 Victim was pregnant at the time of most recent episode of intimate partner violence

9 Unknown if victim was pregnant at the time of most recent episode of intimate partner 

violence

If data element 2.102 Sex of Victim is coded as “male,” this data element should not be used.
92

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS

4.106 NUMBER OF PERPETRATORS INVOLVED IN MOST

RECENT EPISODE OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

Description/Definition

Indicates whether one or more perpetrators were involved in the most recent episode of intimate partner 

violence.

Uses

Violent episodes involving more than one perpetrator may differ from violent episodes involving only one 

perpetrator.

Type of Surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

None.

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

Survey surveillance: Yes, if separate episodes involving different perpetrators occurred.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

1 The most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner involved 1 perpetrator

2 The most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner involved 2 or more 

perpetrators

9 Unknown number of perpetrators were involved in most recent violent episode perpetrated 

by an intimate partner
DETAILS OF MOST RECENT VIOLENT EPISODE 93

4.107 RELATIONSHIP OF VICTIM AND PERPETRATOR AT TIME OF THE MOST 

RECENT EPISODE OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

Description/Definition

The victim’s relationship to the perpetrator at the time of the most recent violent episode perpetrated

by an intimate partner.

Uses

Allows examination of other data elements in the context of the relationship between the victim and perpetrator.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

This data element is not designed to capture information about perpetrators other than the intimate partner who 

perpetrated the most recent violent episode.

For use in Record-based surveillance only the relationship to the perpetrator at the time of the most recent 

violent episode will be captured. For use in survey surveillance this data element will capture the relationship

at the time of the most recent violent episode for each individual perpetrator during the 12 months preceding

the survey.

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

Survey surveillance: Yes, if multiple perpetrators.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

1 In the most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner, the victim was the 

spouse of the perpetrator

2 In the most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner, the victim was the 

common-law spouse of the perpetrator

3 In the most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner, the victim was the 

divorced spouse of the perpetrator

4 In the most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner, the victim was the 

former common-law spouse of the perpetrator

5 In the most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner, the victim was the 

separated spouse or separated common-law spouse of the perpetrator

6 In the most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner, the victim was the 

girlfriend or boyfriend of the perpetrator

7 In the most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner, the victim was the 

former girlfriend or former boyfriend of the perpetrator

8 In the most recent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner, the victim was a dating 

partner of the perpetrator

9 In the most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner, the victim was

a former dating partner of the perpetrator
94

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS

If the victim’s relationship to the perpetrator has changed over time (e.g., girlfriend, wife, then ex-wife), the data 

element would be coded to reflect the victim’s relationship to the perpetrator at the time of the most recent 

episode of violence. If there was more than one perpetrator (see data element 4.106 Number of Perpetrators 

Involved in Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence), code data on the victim’s relationship to the 

intimate partner who perpetrated the most recent violent episode. If the victim’s relationship to the perpetrator 

during the most recent violent episode is a civil union they would be classified as a spouse (or divorced spouse

if the civil union had been terminated).

The code set on the previous page can include current and former same-sex partners. This data element,

in conjunction with the data elements 2.102 Sex of Victim and 4.302 Sex of Perpetrator of Most Recent Episode 

of Intimate Partner Violence, can be used to identify same-sex and heterosexual relationships. The code set 

above is limited to categories of intimate partner violence. If the IPV surveillance system is expanded to include 

violence by perpetrators other than intimate partners, the code set will also need to be expanded.
DETAILS OF MOST RECENT VIOLENT EPISODE 95

4.108 COHABITATION OF VICTIM AND PERPETRATOR AT TIME OF THE

MOST RECENT EPISODE OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

Description/Definition

Victim and perpetrator’s cohabitation status at the time of the most recent violent episode perpetrated

by an intimate partner.

Uses

Violent episodes involving intimate partners may differ depending on whether the victim and the perpetrator

are living together.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

Some cohabiting partners are not married (i.e., they may be separated, divorced, single, or widowed)

or are in common-law marriages. See also data element 2.109 Marital Status of Victim.

For use in Record-based surveillance the cohabitation status of victim and perpetrator will only be captured 

relative to the time of the most recent violent episode. For use in survey surveillance this data element will 

capture the cohabitation status at the time of the most recent violent episode for each individual perpetrator 

during the 12 months preceding the survey.

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

Survey surveillance: Yes, if multiple perpetrators.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

0 Victim was known not to be cohabiting with the perpetrator at the time of the most recent 

violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner

1 Victim was cohabiting with the perpetrator at the time of the most recent violent episode 

perpetrated by an intimate partner

7 Unknown if victim was cohabiting with the perpetrator at the time of the most recent 

violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner

For record-based surveillance, if there was more than one perpetrator (see data element 4.106 Number 

of Perpetrators Involved in Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence), code data on the victim’s 

cohabitation status with the intimate partner who perpetrated the most recent violent episode. For survey 

surveillance, if there was more than one perpetrator in the past 12 months (see data element 4.106 Number 

of Perpetrators Involved in Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence), code data on the victim’s 

cohabitation status for each intimate partner.
96

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS

4.109 LENGTH OF INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP AT TIME OF THE MOST RECENT 

EPISODE OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

Description/Definition

Time between the most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner and the time when the victim 

and perpetrator first became intimate partners, specified in months.

Uses

Some literature suggests that violence between intimate partners may increase in frequency and severity over 

time.27

This data element can be used in conjunction with data elements 4.110 Length of Time Relationship Had Been 

Violent and 4.111 Pattern of Intimate Partner Violence in the Past 12 Months.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

This data element is designed to measure how long it has been since the victim and perpetrator first became 

intimate partners. Although the nature of a relationship may change (e.g., from a dating relationship to a 

marriage, from a marriage to a divorce, or an on-again/off-again relationship with multiple breakups), this data 

element focuses on the entire length of time that has elapsed since intimacy began (although not necessarily 

when sexual intimacy began). The data element does not focus on the length of time the partners have been

in the most recent stage of the relationship (e.g., the time they have been divorced or married).

Data Type (and Field Length)

NM — numeric (4).

Repetition

Survey surveillance: Yes, if multiple perpetrators.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

0001 Less than 1 month

XXXX Months

9999 Unknown

For partial months, round to the nearest number of months. For half months, round up to the next highest 

number of months. Convert years to months by multiplying by 12 and then rounding if necessary, and add to the 

number of months in any partial year. For example, 5 1/2 years = (5.5 x 12) = 66 months; 4 years and 3 months = 

(4 x 12) + 3 = 48 + 3 = 51 months; 3 1/2 months is rounded to 4 months.

For record-based surveillance, if there was more than one perpetrator (see data element 4.106 Number

of Perpetrators Involved in Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence), code data on the length of the 

intimate relationship between the victim and the intimate partner who perpetrated the most recent violent 

episode. For survey surveillance, if there was more than one perpetrator in the past 12 months, code data on the 

length of the intimate relationship for each intimate partner.
DETAILS OF MOST RECENT VIOLENT EPISODE 97

4.110 LENGTH OF TIME RELATIONSHIP HAD BEEN VIOLENT

Description/Definition

The length of time, in months, between the most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner and 

the first violent episode that involved the same partner.

Uses

Can be compared with 4.109 Length of Intimate Relationship at Time of the Most Recent Episode of Intimate 

Partner Violence and 4.111 Pattern of Intimate Partner Violence in the Past 12 Months.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

The length of time a relationship has been violent may be related to characteristics of the violent episode.

For example, intimate partner violence may increase in frequency and severity over time.27

Data Type (and Field Length)

NM- numeric (4).

Repetition

Survey surveillance: Yes, if multiple perpetrators.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

0001 Less than 1 month

XXXX Months

9999 Unknown

For partial months, round to the nearest number of months. For half months, round up to the next highest 

number of months. Convert years to months by multiplying by 12 and then rounding if necessary, and add to the 

number of months in any partial year. For example, 5 1/2 years = (5.5 x 12) = 66 months; 4 years and 3 months = 

(4 x 12) + 3 = 48 + 3 = 51 months; 3 1/2 months is rounded to 4 months.

For record-based surveillance, if there was more than one perpetrator (see data element 4.106 Number of 

Perpetrators Involved in Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence), code data on the length of time 

the relationship had been violent between the victim and the intimate partner who perpetrated the most recent 

violent episode. For survey surveillance, if there was more than one perpetrator in the past 12 months (see data 

element 4.106 Number of Perpetrators Involved in Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence), code 

data on the length of time the relationship had been violent between the victim and the intimate partner for each 

intimate partner.
98

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS

4.111 PATTERN OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS

Description/Definition

For record-based surveillance, this data element records whether there was a change in the pattern of violence 

with the perpetrator of the most recent violent episode in the 12 months prior to the date of the most recent 

violent episode. For survey surveillance, this data element records whether there was a change in the pattern

of violence with each perpetrator of violence in the previous 12 months relative to the most recent violent 

episode for each of these perpetrators.

Uses

Specifies whether the pattern of violence with the perpetrator of the most recent violent episode had changed

in the past 12 months.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

Some literature suggests that violence between intimate partners may increase in frequency or severity over 

time, or that the types of violence used by perpetrators may change.26 As presently written, this data element 

measures whether changes in patterns of violence have occurred, but does not document the details of the 

change. Interested surveillance system users may wish to create additional data elements to document the 

nature of these changes in pattern. Recall that pattern of violence is defined as “The way that violence

is distributed over time in terms of frequency, severity, or type of violent episode (i.e., physical violence, sexual 

violence, psychological aggression and/or stalking).”

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

Survey surveillance: Yes, if multiple perpetrators in the past 12 months.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

0 This was the only known violent episode committed by the perpetrator of the most recent 

violent episode

1 There was no change in the pattern of violence during the 12 months prior to the date

of the most recent violent episode

2 The pattern of violence changed during the 12 months prior to the date of the most recent 

violent episode

9 Unknown if the pattern of violence changed during the 12 months prior to the date

of the most recent violent episode

For record-based surveillance, if there was more than one perpetrator (see data element 4.106 Number

of Perpetrators Involved in Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence), code data on pattern of violence 

with the intimate partner who perpetrated the most recent violent episode. For survey surveillance, if there was 

more than one perpetrator in the past 12 months (see data element 4.106 Number of Perpetrators Involved 

in Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence), code data on the pattern of violence for each intimate 

partner.
DETAILS OF MOST RECENT VIOLENT EPISODE 99

4.112 NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN VICTIM’S HOME AT TIME OF MOST RECENT 

EPISODE OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

Description/Definition

The number of children under age 18 who were living in the victim’s home at the time of the most recent violent 

episode perpetrated by an intimate partner.

Uses

Designed to collect information on the number of children living in the home of IPV victims, regardless of whether 

the children witnessed specific episodes of violence.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

The literature suggests that children exposed to violence in the family are at increased risk of a number

of short- and long-term health outcomes in addition to being at greater risk of both victimization and perpetration 

of IPV as adolescents or adults.28,29

For use in record-based surveillance, the number of children in the victim’s home will only be captured relative 

to the time of the most recent violent episode. For use in survey surveillance, this data element will capture 

the number of children in the victim’s home at the time of the most recent violent episode for each individual 

perpetrator during the 12 months preceding the survey.

Data Type (and Field Length)

NM — numeric (2).

Repetition

Survey surveillance: Yes, if multiple perpetrators.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

00 There were no children under age 18 living in the victim’s household at the time of the 

most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner

XX Number of children under age 18 living in victim’s household at the time of the most

recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner (where XX stands for the number 

of children)

88 There were children under age 18 living in victim’s household at the time of the most 

recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner, but it is not known how many

9 Unknown if children under age 18 were living in victim’s household at the time of the most 

recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner
100

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS

4.113 ALCOHOL USE BY VICTIM AT TIME OF MOST RECENT EPISODE

OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

Description/Definition

Use of alcohol by the victim at the time of the most recent episode of intimate partner violence.

Uses

Documents the association between alcohol use and violence.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

None.

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

Survey surveillance: Yes, if multiple perpetrators.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

0 The victim of intimate partner violence did not consume alcohol prior to, or during, the 

most recent episode of intimate partner violence

1 The victim of intimate partner violence consumed alcohol prior to, or during, the most 

recent episode of intimate partner violence

9 Unknown if the victim of intimate partner violence consumed alcohol prior to, or during,

the most recent episode of intimate partner violence

For record-based surveillance, if there was more than one perpetrator (see data element 4.106 Number

of Perpetrators Involved in Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence), code data on the alcohol use

of the victim at the time of the most recent violent episode. For survey surveillance, if there was more than one 

perpetrator in the past 12 months, code data on the alcohol use of the victim at the time of the most recent 

violent episode for each intimate partner.
DETAILS OF MOST RECENT VIOLENT EPISODE 101

4.114 DRUG USE BY VICTIM AT TIME OF MOST RECENT EPISODE

OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

Description/Definition

Drug use by the victim at the time of the most recent episode of IPV.

Uses

Documents the association between drug use and violence.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

None.

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

Survey surveillance: Yes, if multiple perpetrators.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

0 The victim of intimate partner violence did not use drugs prior to, or during, the most 

recent episode of intimate partner violence

1 The victim of intimate partner violence used drugs prior to, or during, the most recent 

episode of intimate partner violence

9 Unknown if the victim of intimate partner violence used drugs prior to, or during, the most 

recent episode of intimate partner violence

For record-based surveillance, if there was more than one perpetrator (see data element 4.106 Number

of Perpetrators Involved in Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence), code data on the drug use

of the victim at the time of the most recent violent episode. For survey surveillance, if there was more than one 

perpetrator in the past 12 months, code data on the drug use of the victim at the time of the most recent violent 

episode for each intimate partner.
102

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS
CONSEQUENCES TO VICTIM FOLLOWING MOST RECENT VIOLENT EPISODE 103

CONSEQUENCES TO VICTIM FOLLOWING MOST RECENT VIOLENT EPISODE

Recommended Data Elements

4.201 Physical Consequences to Victim Attributed to Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.202 Psychological Consequences to Victim Attributed to Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.203 Medical Care Received by Victim Attributed to Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.204 Mental Health Care Received by Victim Attributed to Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.205 Substance Abuse Treatment Received by Victim Attributed to Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner 

Violence

4.206 Significant Life Disruption(s) Attributed to Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.207 Deaths Related to Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence
104

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS
CONSEQUENCES TO VICTIM FOLLOWING MOST RECENT VIOLENT EPISODE 105

4.201 PHYSICAL CONSEQUENCES TO VICTIM ATTRIBUTED TO MOST

RECENT EPISODE OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

Description/Definition

Physical consequences to the victim attributed to the most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate 

partner.

Uses

Documents pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, sexually transmitted disease, HIV infection, physical injuries, 

disability, or fatality resulting from the most recent intimate partner violence episode.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

It is conceivable that there are other physical consequences of the violence. This data element documents only 

those consequences that are recognized.

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

Record-based surveillance: Yes, if the victim suffered more than one physical consequence.

Survey surveillance: Yes, If the victim suffered more than one physical consequence from an individual 

perpetrator, or more than one physical consequence across multiple intimate partners that perpetrated violence.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

0 No known physical consequences attributed to the most recent episode of intimate partner 

violence

1 Pregnancy attributed to the most recent episode of intimate partner violence

2 Pre-existing pregnancy ended due to the most recent episode of intimate partner violence

3 STD attributed to the most recent episode of intimate partner violence

4 HIV infection attributed to the most recent episode of intimate partner violence

5 Non-fatal physical injury received during the most recent episode of intimate partner 

violence

6 Disability attributed to the most recent episode of intimate partner violence

7 Death due to injuries received during or as a result of the most recent episode of intimate 

partner violence

8 Other medical condition or physical consequence(s) attributed to the most recent episode 

of intimate partner violence

9 Unknown if there are physical consequences to the victim attributable to the most recent 

episode of intimate partner violence
106

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS

4.202 PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES TO VICTIM ATTRIBUTED TO MOST 

RECENT EPISODE OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

Description/Definition

Psychological consequences to the victim attributed to the most recent violent episode perpetrated

by an intimate partner.

Uses

Research demonstrates links between IPV and serious mental health consequences such as depression and 

post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It has also been linked to attempted and completed suicide.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

Survey surveillance: Yes, if multiple perpetrators.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

0 It is known that there are no psychological consequences to the victim that are attributable 

to the most recent episode of intimate partner violence

1 Psychological consequences to the victim are attributable to the most recent episode of 

intimate partner violence

9 Unknown if there are psychological consequences to the victim attributable to the most 

recent episode of intimate partner violence
CONSEQUENCES TO VICTIM FOLLOWING MOST RECENT VIOLENT EPISODE 107

4.203 MEDICAL CARE RECEIVED BY VICTIM ATTRIBUTED TO MOST RECENT 

EPISODE OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

Description/Definition

Medical health care received by the victim following the most recent violent episode perpetrated

by an intimate partner.

Uses

Documents the medical health care received by the victim.

Discussion

In addition to documenting the victim’s medical care, this data element can be used as a proxy for injury severity, 

but it must be used in conjunction with data element 4.201 Physical Consequences to Victim Attributed to Most 

Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence to identify those victims who died prior to or during the course

of receiving any medical care.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

Survey surveillance: Yes, if multiple perpetrators.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

0 The victim was known not to have received any medical health care following the most 

recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner

1 The victim received outpatient medical health care (e.g., emergency department

or physician office visit), but did not receive inpatient medical health care, after the most 

recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner

2 The victim received outpatient medical health care (e.g., emergency department

or physician office visit), and received inpatient medical health care, after the most recent 

violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner

3 The victim received outpatient medical health care (e.g., emergency department

or physician office visit), unknown if the victim received inpatient medical health care, after 

the most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner

4 The victim received no outpatient medical health care (e.g., emergency department

or physician office visit), but did receive inpatient medical health care, after the most recent 

violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner

5 Unknown if the victim received outpatient medical health care (e.g., emergency department 

or physician office visit), but did receive inpatient medical health care, after the most recent 

violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner

9 Unknown if the victim received any medical health care following the most recent violent 

episode perpetrated by an intimate partner

If the data element 4.201 Physical Consequences to Victim Attributed to Most Recent Episode of Intimate 

Partner Violence was coded “7” (Death due to injuries received during or as a result of the most recent violent 

episode perpetrated by an intimate partner), then this data element should be used to indicate any medical care 

related to the most recent violent episode that the victim received following the violent episode prior to death.
108

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS

4.204 MENTAL HEALTH CARE RECEIVED BY VICTIM ATTRIBUTED TO MOST 

RECENT EPISODE OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

Description/Definition

Mental health care (excluding substance abuse treatment) received by the victim following the most recent 

violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner.

Uses

Research demonstrates links between IPV and serious mental health consequences such as depression and 

post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It has also been linked to attempted and completed suicide.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

For use in record-based surveillance: this data element will capture only the mental health care received 

following the most recent violent episode. For use in survey surveillance: this data element will capture the 

mental health received following the most recent violent episode for each individual perpetrator during

the 12 months preceding the survey.

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

Survey surveillance: Yes, if multiple perpetrators.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

0 The victim was known not to have received mental health care (excluding substance abuse 

treatment) after the most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner

1 The victim received outpatient mental health care (excluding substance abuse treatment), 

but did not receive inpatient mental health care, after the most recent violent episode 

perpetrated by an intimate partner

2 The victim received outpatient mental health care (excluding substance abuse treatment), 

and received inpatient mental health care, after the most recent violent episode perpetrated 

by an intimate partner

3 The victim received outpatient mental health care (excluding substance abuse treatment), 

unknown if the victim received inpatient mental health care, after the most recent violent 

episode perpetrated by an intimate partner

4 The victim received no outpatient mental health care (excluding substance abuse 

treatment), but did receive inpatient mental health care, after the most recent violent 

episode perpetrated by an intimate partner

5 Unknown if the victim received outpatient mental health care (excluding substance abuse 

treatment), but did receive inpatient mental health care, after the most recent violent 

episode perpetrated by an intimate partner

9 Unknown if the victim received any mental health care (excluding substance abuse 

treatment) following the most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner
CONSEQUENCES TO VICTIM FOLLOWING MOST RECENT VIOLENT EPISODE 109

4.205 SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT RECEIVED BY VICTIM ATTRIBUTED 

TO MOST RECENT EPISODE OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

Description/Definition

The substance abuse treatment received by the victim following the most recent violent episode perpetrated

by an intimate partner.

Uses

Research demonstrates links between substance abuse and IPV victimization.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

Record-based surveillance: Yes, if victim received more than one type of treatment for substance abuse.

Survey surveillance: Yes, if victim received more than one type of treatment for substance abuse due

to an individual perpetrator, or more than one type of treatment for substance abuse across multiple intimate 

partners that perpetrated violence.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

0 The victim was known not to have received substance abuse treatment following the most 

recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner

1 The victim received treatment for alcohol abuse following the most recent violent episode 

perpetrated by an intimate partner

2 The victim participated in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) following the most recent violent 

episode perpetrated by an intimate partner

3 The victim received treatment for drug abuse following the most recent violent episode 

perpetrated by an intimate partner

4 The victim participated in Narcotics Anonymous (NA) following the most recent violent 

episode perpetrated by an intimate partner

9 Unknown if the victim received any substance abuse treatment following the most recent 

violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner
110

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4.206 SIGNIFICANT LIFE DISRUPTION(S) ATTRIBUTED TO MOST RECENT

EPISODE OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

Description/Definition

Significant life disruption(s) caused or aggravated by the most recent episode of IPV.

Uses

Allows an examination of a full range of possible significant life disruptions as a result of the most recent episode 

of IPV.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

Data collectors may want to gather more detail on the types of significant life disruptions to determine differential 

effects of the various types.

Some disruptions will not be evident related to the most recent episodes of intimate partner violence

(e.g., isolation), especially if the violence happened relatively recently. But it is important for surveillance 

mechanisms to try to track the multitude of life disruptions that may occur over time following intimate partner 

violence, such as missing work or school, having to relocate residence as a result of sexual violence, having

to quit a job or quit school, being isolated or experiencing changes in support structure.

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

Yes, if more than one type of significant life disruption was known to be caused or aggravated by the most 

recent episode of intimate partner violence.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

0 Victim was known not to have experienced significant life disruptions caused

or aggravated by the most recent episode of intimate partner violence

1 Victim was known to have missed work, caused or aggravated by the most recent episode 

of intimate partner violence

2 Victim was known to have missed school, caused or aggravated by the most recent 

episode of intimate partner violence

3 Victim was known to have relocated residence, caused or aggravated by the most recent 

episode of intimate partner violence

4 Victim was known to have quit a job, caused or aggravated by the most recent episode

of intimate partner violence

5 Victim was known to have quit school, caused or aggravated by the most recent episode

of intimate partner violence

6 Victim was known to have been isolated or experienced a change in support structure, 

caused or aggravated by the most recent episode of intimate partner violence

7 Victim was known to have other significant life disruptions caused or aggravated

by the most recent episode of intimate partner violence (specify)

9 Unknown what, if any, significant life disruptions caused or aggravated by the most recent 

episode of intimate partner violence
CONSEQUENCES TO VICTIM FOLLOWING MOST RECENT VIOLENT EPISODE 111

4.207 DEATHS RELATED TO MOST RECENT EPISODE OF INTIMATE PARTNER 

VIOLENCE

Description/Definition

All deaths associated with the most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner.

Uses

Allows for tracking of episodes that result in intimate partner homicide or an intimate partner-related homicide. 

This could include, for example, the death of the perpetrator in cases of a homicide followed by the suicide

of perpetrator or the death of a child or another family member killed during the violent episode.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

Yes, if more than one death occurred as a result of the most recent violent episode.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

0 No known deaths resulted from the most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate 

partner

1 Victim’s death, by homicide, resulted from the most recent violent episode perpetrated

by an intimate partner

2 Victim’s death, self-inflicted, resulted from the most recent violent episode perpetrated

by an intimate partner

3 Perpetrator’s death, by homicide, resulted from the most recent violent episode 

perpetrated by an intimate partner

4 Perpetrator’s death, self-inflicted, resulted from the most recent violent episode 

perpetrated by an intimate partner

5 Death of child/children in the household resulted from the most recent violent episode 

perpetrated by an intimate partner

6 Death of unborn child/children resulted from the most recent violent episode perpetrated 

by an intimate partner

7 Death of someone else resulted from the most recent violent episode perpetrated

by an intimate partner

9 Unknown if any deaths resulted from the most recent violent episode perpetrated

by an intimate partner

If the data element 4.201 Physical Consequences to Victim Attributed to Most Recent Episode of Intimate 

Partner Violence was coded “7” (Death due to injuries received during or as a result of the most recent violent 

episode perpetrated by an intimate partner), then this data element must, at a minimum, be coded as “1” 

(Victim’s death by homicide).
112

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PERPETRATOR OF MOST RECENT EPISODE OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE 113

PERPETRATOR OF MOST RECENT EPISODE OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

Recommended Data Elements

4.301 Birth Date of Perpetrator of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.302 Sex of Perpetrator of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.303 Race of Perpetrator of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.304 Ethnicity of Perpetrator of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.305 Primary Language of Perpetrator of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.306 Disability Status of Perpetrator of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.307 Sexual Orientation of Perpetrator of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.308 Trans, Transgender, or Transsexual Identity of Perpetrator of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner 

Violence

4.309 City, State, and County of Residence of Perpetrator of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.310 Alcohol Use by Perpetrator of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.311 Drug Use by Perpetrator of Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence

4.312 Weapons Used by Perpetrator in Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence
114

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PERPETRATOR OF MOST RECENT EPISODE OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE 115

4.301 BIRTH DATE OF PERPETRATOR OF MOST RECENT EPISODE

OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

Description/Definition

Date of birth of the perpetrator of the most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner.

Uses

Can be used to calculate the perpetrator’s age.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

None.

Data Type (and Field Length)

TS-time stamp (26).

Repetition

Survey surveillance: Yes, if multiple perpetrators in the past 12 months.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Year, month, and day of birth are entered in the format YYYYMMDD. For example, birth date of August 12, 1946, 

would be encoded as 19460812. See method recommended under TS-time stamp in the Technical Notes at the 

end of this document for estimating age of perpetrator of the most recent violent episode. If date of birth is not 

known, it can be estimated from the perpetrator’s age. (See also Technical Notes at the end of this document.)

For record-based surveillance, if there was more than one perpetrator (see data element 4.106 Number of 

Perpetrators Involved in Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence), code data on the date of birth of the 

intimate partner who perpetrated the most recent violent episode. For survey surveillance, if there was more than 

one perpetrator in the past 12 months, code data on date of birth for each intimate partner.

Data Standards or Guidelines

ASTM21 and Health Level 7, Version 3.020
116

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4.302 SEX OF PERPETRATOR OF MOST RECENT EPISODE OF INTIMATE

PARTNER VIOLENCE

Description/Definition

Sex of the perpetrator of the most recent violent episode.

Uses

Allows identification of the sex of the perpetrator, and can be used to identify same-sex and heterosexual 

relationships.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

The United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) requires, to the extent possible, the 

standardized collection of race, ethnicity, primary language, sex, and disability status in all national population 

health surveys that use self-reported information. Implementation guidance for these standards is available from 

DHHS.22

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

Survey surveillance: Yes, if multiple perpetrators in the past 12 months.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

1 Male

2 Female

3 Other

9 Unknown or undetermined

For record-based surveillance, if there was more than one perpetrator (see data element 4.106 Number

of Perpetrators Involved in Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence), code data on the sex of the 

intimate partner who perpetrated the most recent violent episode. For survey surveillance, if there was more than 

one perpetrator in the past 12 months, code data on the sex of each intimate partner.

Data Standards or Guidelines

ASTM21, Health Level 7, Version 3.020, Implementation Guidance on Data Collection Standards for Race, Ethnicity, 

Sex, Primary Language, and Disability Status22

Other References

Core Health Data Elements (National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics)24
PERPETRATOR OF MOST RECENT EPISODE OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE 117

4.303 RACE OF PERPETRATOR OF MOST RECENT EPISODE OF INTIMATE 

PARTNER VIOLENCE

Description/Definition

Race of perpetrator.

Uses

Standard demographic and identifying information on perpetrator. Data on race are used in public health 

surveillance, and in epidemiologic, behavioral and social science, clinical, and health services research.

Although the biological significance of race has been scientifically questioned, data on race retain use, albeit 

limited, in public health surveillance and epidemiologic, clinical, and health services research.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance.

Discussion

Race is a concept used to differentiate population groups largely on the basis of physical characteristics 

transmitted by descent. Racial categories are neither precise nor mutually exclusive, and the concept of race 

lacks clear scientific definition. The common use of race in the United States draws upon differences not only 

in physical attributes, but also in ancestry and geographic origins. The United States Department of Health and 

Human Services (DHHS) requires, to the extent possible, the standardized collection of race, ethnicity, primary 

language, sex, and disability status in all national population health surveys that use self-reported information.22

The DHHS coding categories provide more extensive information than the minimum categories recommended

by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).23 For comparison purposes, the DHHS categories can

be aggregated into the five OMB categories. Specifically, the DHHS codes 1 through 3 correspond to the OMB 

categories of White, Black or African-American, and American Indian or Alaska Native, respectively. Combining 

codes 4 through 10 creates the OMB category of Asian and combining the codes 11 through 14 creates the 

OMB category of Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander.

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

More than one code is allowed for multiple racial categories.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

01 White

02 Black or African American

03 American Indian or Alaska Native

04 Asian Indian

05 Chinese

06 Filipino

07 Japanese

08 Korean

09 Vietnamese

10 Other Asian (specify)

11 Native Hawaiian

12 Guamanian or Chamorro

13 Samoan

14 Other Pacific Islander (specify)

15 Other race (specify)

99 Unknown
118

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Data Standards or Guidelines

Implementation Guidance on Data Collection Standards for Race, Ethnicity, Sex, Primary Language, and 

Disability Status22

Revisions to the Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity23

Other References

Core Health Data Elements (National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics)24
PERPETRATOR OF MOST RECENT EPISODE OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE 119

4.304 ETHNICITY OF PERPETRATOR OF MOST RECENT EPISODE

OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

Description/Definition

Ethnicity of perpetrator. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity refers to a person of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, South 

or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race. The term “Spanish origin” can

be used in addition to “Hispanic or Latino.”

Uses

Standard demographic and identifying information for victim. Data on ethnicity are used in public health 

surveillance and in epidemiologic, behavioral and social science, clinical, and health services research.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

The United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) requires, to the extent possible, the 

standardized collection of race, ethnicity, primary language, sex, and disability status in all national population 

health surveys that use self-reported information. Implementation guidance for these standards is available from 

DHHS.22

Ethnicity is a concept used to differentiate population groups on the basis of shared cultural characteristics 

or geographic origins. A variety of cultural attributes contribute to ethnic differentiation, including language, 

patterns of social interaction, religion, and styles of dress. However, ethnic differentiation is imprecise and fluid.

It is contingent on a sense of group identity that can change over time and that involves subjective and 

attitudinal influences. Since 1977, the Federal government has sought to standardize data on race and ethnicity 

among it’s agencies. The Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Statistical Policy Directive Number 15: 

Race and Ethnic Standards for Federal Statistics and Administrative Reporting23 was developed to meet Federal 

legislative and program requirements, and these standards are used widely in the public and private sectors. The 

directive provides two basic ethnic categories — Hispanic or Latino and Not of Hispanic or Latino Origin — but 

states that collection of ethnicity data need not be limited to these categories. However, any additional reporting 

that uses more detail must be organized in such a way that the additional categories can be aggregated into the 

two basic groups. OMB prefers that data on race and ethnicity be collected separately. The use of a Hispanic 

category in a combined race/ethnicity makes it impossible to distribute persons of Hispanic ethnicity by race, 

and therefore, reduces the utility of the five basic racial categories by excluding from them persons who would 

otherwise be included.

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

Yes, if multiple ethnic categories apply.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

1 Yes, Mexican, Mexican American, Chicano(a)

2 Yes, Puerto Rican

3 Yes, Cuban

4 Yes, another Hispanic, Latino/a or Spanish origin

5 No, not of Hispanic or Latino origin

9 Unknown whether of Hispanic or Latino origin
120

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Data Standards or Guidelines

Implementation Guidance on Data Collection Standards for Race, Ethnicity, Sex, Primary Language, and Disability 

Status22

Revisions to the Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity23

Other References

Core Health Data Elements (National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics 1996)24
PERPETRATOR OF MOST RECENT EPISODE OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE 121

4.305 PRIMARY LANGUAGE OF PERPETRATOR OF MOST RECENT EPISODE 

OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

Description/Definition

Primary language of perpetrator.

Uses

Standard demographic and identifying information for perpetrator. Data on primary language can be used

in public health surveillance, and in epidemiologic, behavioral and social science, clinical, and health services 

research.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

The United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) requires, to the extent possible, the 

standardized collection of race, ethnicity, primary language, sex, and disability status in all national population 

health surveys that use self-reported information.22

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

No.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

1 English

2 Spanish

3 Chinese

4 Tagalog

5 French

6 Vietnamese

7 German

8 Korean

9 Russian

10 Arabic

11 Italian

12 Portuguese

13 Polish

14 French Creole

15 Hindi

16 Japanese

17 Persian

18 Urdu

19 Gujarati

20 Greek

55 Other (specify)

99 Unknown
122

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Data Standards or Guidelines

Implementation Guidance on Data Collection Standards for Race, Ethnicity, Sex, Primary Language, and Disability 

Status22

Revisions to the Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity23
PERPETRATOR OF MOST RECENT EPISODE OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE 123

4.306 DISABILITY STATUS OF PERPETRATOR OF MOST RECENT EPISODE

OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

Description/Definition

Disability status of perpetrator.

Uses

Standard demographic and identifying information for perpetrator. Data on disability can be used in public health 

surveillance, and in epidemiologic, behavioral and social science, clinical, and health services research.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

The United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) requires, to the extent possible, the 

standardized collection of race, ethnicity, primary language, sex, and disability status in all national population 

health surveys that use self-reported information.22

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

Yes.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

1 Deaf, difficulty hearing

2 Blind, difficulty in seeing even with glasses

3 Mental or emotional condition resulting in serious difficulty concentrating, remembering

or making decisions, or running errands

4 Physical condition resulting in difficulty in walking, dressing or bathing, or running errands

5 Other (specify)

9 Don’t Know/Unknown

Data Standards or Guidelines

Implementation Guidance on Data Collection Standards for Race, Ethnicity, Sex, Primary Language, and Disability 

Status22

Revisions to the Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity23
124

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4.307 SEXUAL ORIENTATION OF PERPETRATOR OF MOST RECENT EPISODE

OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

Description/Definition

Sexual orientation of perpetrator.

Uses

Standard sociodemographic information. Data on sexual orientation are used in public health surveillance,

and in epidemiologic, behavioral and social science, clinical, and health services research.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

No.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

1 Heterosexual, or Straight

2 Lesbian

3 Gay

4 Bisexual

5 Other (specify)

9 Unknown
PERPETRATOR OF MOST RECENT EPISODE OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE 125

4.308 TRANS, TRANSGENDER, OR TRANSSEXUAL IDENTITY OF PERPETRATOR

OF MOST RECENT EPISODE OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

Description/Definition

Whether or not a perpetrator identifies as trans, transgender or transsexual.

Uses

Data on transgender identity can be used in public health surveillance, and in epidemiologic, behavioral and 

social science, clinical, and health services.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

No.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

1 Trans, transgender or transsexual

2 Not trans, transgender or transsexual

9 Unknown
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4.309 CITY, STATE, AND COUNTY OF RESIDENCE OF PERPETRATOR

OF MOST RECENT EPISODE OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

Description/Definition

City, state, and county of residence of the perpetrator of the most recent episode of intimate partner violence,

at the time of the event.

Uses

Allows examination of the correspondence between the location of the victim’s residence, the perpetrator’s 

residence, and the location of the most recent violent episode perpetrated by an intimate partner.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

Additional information (e.g., street address, zip code) can easily be added as components of this element if data 

linkage across data sources is desired. However, to protect privacy and confidentiality, access to this level

of detail must be limited to authorized personnel. Surveillance system users who do not convert street address 

to census block groups or encrypt addresses need to be aware that they may be acquiring the victim’s street 

address when they acquire the perpetrator’s street address. The need for victim safety and confidentiality must 

be taken into account if the full extended version of this data element is used. In conjunction with data elements 

2.110 City, State, and County of Victim’s Residence and 4.104 City, State, and County of Occurrence of Most 

Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence, this data element allows examination of the correspondence 

between the victim’s residence, the perpetrator’s residence, and the location of the most recent violent episode.

Data Type (and Field Length)

XAD — extended address (106).

Repetition

Survey surveillance: Yes, if multiple perpetrators in the past 12 months.

Field Values

Component 3 is the city.

Component 4 is the state or province.

Component 9 is the county/parish code.

Example: Component 3 = Lima

 Component 4 = OH

 Component 9 = 019

The state or province code entered in Component 4 should be entered as a two-letter postal abbreviation. 

The county/parish code should be entered in Component 9 as the 3-digit Federal Information Processing 

Standards code. See XAD — extended address in the Technical Notes at the end of this document for additional 

information on other possible components of this data element. The numbering of these components

(3, 4, and 9) is consistent with the numbering of components used elsewhere for full XAD coding.

For record-based surveillance, if there was more than one perpetrator (see data element 4.106 Number

of Perpetrators Involved in Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence), code data on the residence of the 

intimate partner who perpetrated the most recent violent episode. For survey surveillance, if there was more than 

one perpetrator in the past 12 months, code data on the residence of each intimate partner.

Data Standards or Guidelines

Health Level 7, Version 3.020
PERPETRATOR OF MOST RECENT EPISODE OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE 127

4.310 ALCOHOL USE BY PERPETRATOR OF MOST RECENT EPISODE

OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

Description/Definition

Use of alcohol by the perpetrator at the time of the most recent episode of intimate partner violence.

Uses

Documents the association between alcohol use and violence.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

None.

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

Survey surveillance: Yes, if multiple perpetrators in the past 12 months.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

0 The perpetrator of the most recent episode of intimate partner violence did not consume 

alcohol prior to, or during, the most recent episode of intimate partner violence

1 The perpetrator of the most recent episode of intimate partner violence consumed alcohol 

prior to, or during, the most recent episode of intimate partner violence

9 Unknown if the perpetrator of the most recent episode of intimate partner violence 

consumed alcohol prior to, or during, the most recent episode of intimate partner violence

For record-based surveillance, if there was more than one perpetrator (see data element 4.106 Number

of Perpetrators Involved in Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence), code data on the alcohol use

of the intimate partner who perpetrated the most recent violent episode. For survey surveillance, if there was 

more than one perpetrator in the past 12 months, code data on the alcohol use of each intimate partner.
128

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4.311 DRUG USE BY PERPETRATOR OF MOST RECENT EPISODE

OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

Description/Definition

Drug use by the perpetrator at the time of the most recent episode of IPV.

Uses

Documents the association between drug use and violence.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

None.

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

Survey surveillance: Yes, if multiple perpetrators in the past 12 months.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

0 The perpetrator of the most recentepisode of intimate partner violence did not use drugs 

prior to, or during, the most recent episode of intimate partner violence

1 The perpetrator of the most recent episode of intimate partner violence used drugs prior

to, or during, the most recent episode of intimate partner violence

9 Unknown if the perpetrator of the most recent episode of intimate partner violence used 

drugs prior to, or during, the most recent episode of intimate partner violence

For record-based surveillance, if there was more than one perpetrator (see data element 4.106 Number

of Perpetrators Involved in Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence), code data on the drug use

of the intimate partner who perpetrated the most recent violent episode. For survey surveillance, if there was 

more than one perpetrator in the past 12 months, code data on the drug use of each intimate partner.
PERPETRATOR OF MOST RECENT EPISODE OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE 129

4.312 WEAPONS USED BY PERPETRATOR IN MOST RECENT EPISODE

OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

Description/Definition

Weapons (including bodily force) used by the perpetrator in the most recent episode of intimate partner violence.

Uses

Severity and likelihood of injury and other serious consequences may be associated with weapon use.

Type of Surveillance

Record-based surveillance

Survey surveillance

Discussion

As presently written, “7” (Another type of weapon was used by the perpetrator in the most recent violent 

episode) designates weapons used other than those explicitly named in codes 1-6. Interested surveillance 

system users may wish to record information about additional weapon types.

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

Record-based surveillance: Yes, if more than one weapon was used.

Survey surveillance: Yes, if more than one weapon was used by an individual perpetrator or if more than weapon 

was used across multiple intimate partners that perpetrated violence in the past 12 months.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

0 It is known that no weapons or bodily force was used by the perpetrator in the most recent 

violent episode

1 Bodily force was used by the perpetrator in the most recent violent episode

2 A blunt object was used by the perpetrator in the most recent violent episode

3 A cutting or piercing instrument was used by the perpetrator in the most recent violent 

episode

4 A long gun (e.g., shotgun, rifle) was used by the perpetrator in the most recent violent 

episode

5 A handgun was used by the perpetrator in the most recent violent episode

6 A firearm, type unknown, was used by the perpetrator in the most recent violent episode

7 Another type of weapon was used by the perpetrator in the most recent violent episode

9 Unknown if a weapon or bodily force was used by the perpetrator in the most recent 

violent episode

For record-based surveillance, if there was more than one perpetrator (see data element 4.106 Number

of Perpetrators Involved in Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence), code data on the weapon use

of the intimate partner who perpetrated the most recent violent episode. For survey surveillance, if there was 

more than one perpetrator in the past 12 months, code data on the weapon use of each intimate partner.
130

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TECHNICAL NOTES 131

TECHNICAL NOTES
132

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TECHNICAL NOTES 133

TECHNICAL NOTES

The following Technical Notes are taken predominantly from Data Elements for Emergency Department

Systems (DEEDS), Release 1.0.30 These notes provide technical information about how the data elements

in this document conform to the data types defined in Health Level 7, Version 3.020; conventions for addressing 

missing, unknown, and null data values; and recommendations for dealing with data elements or components

of data elements that do not apply to certain individuals. For more comprehensive information about the HL7

data types and the technical terms used in these notes, please refer to HL7, Version 3.0.20

Data Types Used

CE — coded element

CX — extended composite ID with check digit

NM — numeric

TS — time stamp

XAD — extended address

SYMBOLS

In the data type descriptions that follow, these symbols are used to denote structural features of the data types 

or to indicate how entries are made in data fields.

<> Angle brackets demarcate each component of a multicomponent data type. For example, the three 

components of the CE data type are represented as <identifier>, <text>, and <name of coding system>.

( ) Parentheses enclose the abbreviation of component data types. For example, in the CE data type 

description, (ST) specifies that the <identifier (ST)> component is a string data type.

^ The carat separates adjacent components of a multicomponent data type. For example, the CE data 

type is represented as <identifier (ST)>^<text (ST)>^< name of coding system (ST)>^.

[ ] Square brackets specify a part of a component in which data entry is optional. For example, the [SS]

in the TS — time stamp data type indicates that entering seconds is optional.

~ The tilde separates multiple occurrences of a single component. For example, if names were to be 

recorded, the tilde in the family name Rodriguez~Garcia indicates that the person has a compound 

name.

“” Double quotes represent null values in alphanumeric fields. For example, the entry of “” in the check 

digit component of the CX data type field would indicate that no check digit was used.
134

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CE — coded element

Components:

<identifier (ST)>^<text (ST)>^<name of coding system (ST)>^

<alternate identifier (ST)>^<alternate text (ST)>^<name of alternate coding system (ST)>

This data type is composed of two parallel triplets, each of which specifies a coded identifier, a corresponding 

text descriptor, and a designation for the coding system from which the coded identifier is taken. The CE data 

type permits use of different coding systems to encode the same data. Components 1-3 comprise a triplet for 

the first code, and Components 4-6 comprise a triplet for the alternate code. For example, in the coding system 

used in this document, the code “2” (2 or more perpetrators) for data element 4.106 Number of Perpetrators 

Involved in Most Recent Episode of Intimate Partner Violence is coded:

2^2 or more perpetrators

An entry “” or Unknown in Component 1, without entries in other components, indicates that the value for the 

entire data element is null or unknown.

CX — extended composite ID with check digit

Components:

<ID (ST)>^<check digit (ST)>^

<code identifying the check digit scheme employed (ID)>^

<assigning authority (HD)>^<identifier type code (IS)>^<assigning facility (HD)>

This data type is used for certain fields that commonly contain check digits (e.g., internal agency identifier 

indicating a specific person, such as a patient or client). Component 1 contains an alphanumeric identifier. 

The check digit entered in Component 2 is an integral part of the identifier but is not included in Component 1. 

Component 3 identifies the algorithm used to generate the check digit. Component 4, <assigning authority>,

is the unique name of the system that created the identifier. Component 5, <identifier type code>, is a code for 

the identifier type, such as MR for medical record number (see Table 0203 in HL7, Version 3.020). Component 6,

<assigning facility>, is the place or location where the identifier was first assigned to the individual (e.g., 

University Hospital).

NM — numeric

An entry into a field of this data type is a number represented by a series of ASCII numeric characters consisting 

of an optional leading sign (+ or -), one or more digits, and an optional decimal point. In the absence of a + 

or - sign, the number is assumed to be positive. Leading zeros, or trailing zeros after a decimal point, are not 

meaningful. The only nonnumeric characters allowed are the optional leading sign and decimal point.
TECHNICAL NOTES 135

TS — time stamp

Form:

YYYY[MM[DD[HHMM[SS[.S[S[S[S]]]]]]]][+/-ZZZZ]

A data element of this type is string data that contains the date and time of an event. YYYY is the year, MM is 

the month, and DD is the day of the month. The time, HHMM, is based on a 24-hour clock in which midnight is 

0000 and 2359 is 11:59 pm, and +/- ZZZZ is the offset from Greenwich Mean Time (for example -0500 is Eastern 

Daylight Time, and -0600 is Eastern Standard Time). If the optional +/-ZZZZ is missing, local time is assumed.

A TS data field should be left blank when the time of an event or the information is not recorded (missing data). 

As a convention (not an HL7 standard), 99 can be used to indicate that this information is not known:

Entry Description

Leave blank Date/time not recorded

99 Date/time unknown

1996 Year known; remainder of date/time not recorded

199699 Year known, nothing else known

199608 Year and month known; remainder of date/time not recorded

19960899 Year and month known; nothing else known

Examples:

199608011600-0500 A complete date/time indicating EDT

199608011600-0600 A complete date/time indicating EST

For some events the exact date or time may be unavailable and an estimate is preferable to leaving the date/time 

blank or entering 99. For example, if the event is estimated to have occurred 4 days ago (assuming that today’s 

date is June 6, 1997), then 1997060299 would be entered. If the event is estimated to have occurred about

3 months ago, then 19970399 would be entered.

XAD — extended address

Components:

<street address (ST)>^<other designation (ST)>^<city (ST)>^<state or province (ST)>^

<zip or postal code (ST)>^<country (ID)>^<address type (ID)>^

<other geographic designation (ST)>^<county/parish code (IS)>^<census tract (IS)>
136

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

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Component 1, <street address>, contains the street address, rural route designation, or post office box. 

Component 2, <other designation>, qualifies the address (e.g., Apt 1). Component 3, <city>, is the city name. 

Component 4, <state or province>, is represented by the U.S. Postal Service code. Component 5, <zip or postal 

code>, takes the form 99999[-9999] for a zip code or has 6 alphanumeric characters for a Canadian postal code. 

Component 6, <country code>, is assumed to be USA if no entry is made. Component 7, <address type>,

is coded as follows:

Entry Description

C Current or temporary

P Permanent

M Mailing

B Business

O Office

H Home

F Country of origin

Component 8, <other geographic designation>, is a user’s choice that could include such designations

as catchment area, EMS region, and health services area. Component 9, <county/ parish code>, represents the 

county or county equivalent in which the specified address is located (see HL7 Table 0289 — County/Parish). 

Component 10, <census tract>, is a code that represents the census tract (or enumeration district) in which

the specified address is located (see HL7 Table 0288 — Census Tract).

Example:

1234 Easy Street^Suite 123^San Francisco^CA^95123^USA^B^^SF
TECHNICAL NOTES 137

Design Considerations for Record System Implementers

Missing, Unknown, and Null Data Values. Missing, unknown, and null data values must be addressed 

consistently by surveillance system implementers. The following definitions and conventions are recommended:

Missing values are values that are either not sought or not recorded. In a computerized system, missing values 

should always be identifiable and distinguished from unknown or null values. Typically, no keystrokes are made, 

and as a result alphanumeric fields remain as default characters (most often blanks) and numeric fields are 

identifiable as never having had entries.

Unknown values are values that are recorded to indicate that information was sought and found to be 

unavailable. Various conventions are used to enter unknown values: the word “Unknown” or a single character 

value (9 or U) for the CE - coded element data type; 99 for two or more unknown digits for the TS - time stamp 

data type; and 9 or a series of 9s for the NM - numeric data type. Note: the use of Unknown, U, and 9s in 

this document to represent values that are not known is an arbitrary choice. Other notations may be used for 

unknown value entries.

Null values are values that represent none or zero or that indicate specific properties are not measured.

For alphanumeric fields, the convention of entering “” in the field is recommended to represent none

(e.g., no telephone number), and the absence of an inquiry requires no data entry (e.g., not asking about

a telephone number results in missing data). For numeric fields, the convention of entering 8 or a series of 8s 

is recommended to denote that a measurement was not made, preserving an entry of zero for a number in the 

measurement continuum. Note: the use of “” and 8s in this document to represent null values is an arbitrary 

choice. Other notations may be used for null value entries.

Null or unknown values in multicomponent data types (i.e., CE, CX, and XAD) are indicated in the first 

alphanumeric component. For example, in an XAD data type, “” or Unknown would be entered in the <street 

name (ST)> component to indicate there was no address or that the address was not known, and no data would 

be entered in the remaining components.

Data Elements and Components That Are Not Applicable. Data entry is not required in certain fields when

the data elements or their components do not pertain (e.g., victim’s pregnancy status would not be applicable

to male victims). Skip patterns should be used as needed to reduce data entry burdens.
138

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REFERENCES 139

REFERENCES
140

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS
REFERENCES 141

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of sexual violence, stalking, and intimate partner violence victimization in the United States—National

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2. Black MC. Intimate partner violence and adverse health consequences: implications for clinicians.

Am J Lifestyle Med 2011;5:428-439.

3. Breiding MJ, Black MC, Ryan GW. Chronic disease and health risk behaviors associated with intimate

partner violence—18 U.S. states/territories, 2005. Ann Epidemiol 2008;18:538-544.

4. Council on Scientific Affairs, American Medical Association. Violence against women. JAMA1992;267

:3184-3189.

5. Saltzman LE, Fanslow JL, McMahon PM, Shelley GA. Intimate partner violence surveillance: Uniform

definitions and recommended data elements, Version 1.0. Atlanta (GA): National Center for Injury Prevention 

and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1999.

6. Saltzman LE, Fingerhut LA, Rand MR, Visher C. Building data systems for monitoring and responding

to violence against women: Recommendations from a workshop. MMWR 2000;49 (No. RR-11): 1-16.

7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated guidelines for evaluating public health surveillance 

systems: recommendations from the guidelines working group. MMWR 2001;50(No. RR-13):1-51.

8. Coker AL, Davis KE, Arias I, Desai S, Sanderson M, Brandt HM, et al. Physical and mental health effects

of intimate partner violence for men and women. Am J Prev Med 2002;23:260–268.

9. Bonomi AE, Thompson RS, Anderson M, Reid RJ, Carrell D, Dimer JA, et al. Intimate partner violence and 

women’s physical, mental, and social functioning. Am J Prev Med 2006;30:458–466.

10. Watts C, Heise L, Ellsberg M, Moreno G. Putting women first: Ethical and safety recommendations for

research on domestic violence against women (Document HO/ EIP/GPE/01.1). Geneva: World Health

Organization, Global Programme on Evidence for Health Policy. http://www.who.int/gender/documents/

violence/who_fch_gwh_01.1/en/. Published January 2001. Accessed December 18, 2012.

11. Paulozzi LB, Mercy J, Frazier L Jr., Annest JL. CDC’s National Violent Death Surveillance System:

Background and Methodology. Inj Prev 2004;10:47-52.

12. Watts C, Heise L, Ellsberg M, Moreno G. Putting women first: Ethical and safety recommendations for

research on domestic violence against women (Document HO/EIP/GPE/01.1). Geneva: World Health

Organization, Global Programme on Evidence for Health Policy. [online] 2001 Jan [cited 2013 May 17]

Available at: http://www.who.int/gender/violence/womenfirtseng.pdf http://www.who.int/gender/documents/

violence/who_fch_gwh_01.1/en/.

13. Murphy CM, O’Leary KD. Psychological aggression predicts physical aggression in early marriage.

J Consult Clin Psychol 1989;57(5):579–582.

14. Follingstad DR, Rutledge LL, Berg BJ, Hause ES, Polek DS. The role of emotional abuse in physically

abusive relationships. J Fam Violence 1990;5(2):107-120.

15. Hathaway JE, Willis G, Zimmer B, Silverman JG. Impact of partner abuse on women’s reproductive lives.

J Am Med Womens Assoc 2005;60(1):42-45.

16. Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. § 12102 (1990). Available at http://www.ada.gov/pubs/

adastatute08.htm.Accessed October 15, 2014.

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adastatute08.htm. Accessed October 15, 2014.

18. Office of Management and Budget. Revisions to the Standards for the Classification of Federal Data

on Race and Ethnicity; 1997. http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/fedreg_1997standards/. Accessed

October 15, 2014.
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19. U.S. Department of State, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. Human Trafficking Defined: 

Trafficking in Persons Report. http://www.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/2008/105487.htm. Published June 2008. 

Accessed October 15, 2014.

20. Health Level 7 (HL7). Health Level 7, Version 3.0. Ann Arbor, MI: HL7: 2003. www.hl7.org. Accessed

October 15, 2014.

21. American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM). E1384-07: Standard Practice for Content and Structure 

of the Electronic Health Record (EHR). West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM International; 2013.

22. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Implementation Guidance on Data Collection Standards

for Race, Ethnicity, Sex, Primary Language, and Disability Status. http://aspe.hhs.gov/ datacncl/ standards/

ACA/4302/index.shtml. Published October 2011. Accessed October 15, 2014.

23. Office of Management and Budget. Revisions to the Standards for the Classification of Federal Data

on Race and Ethnicity. Fed Regist 1997;62:58781-58790. (Updated 2003).

24. National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics (NCVHS). Core Health Data Elements. Hyattsville, MD:

National Center for Health Statistics; 1996. http://ncvhs.hhs.gov/ncvhsr1.htm. Accessed October 15, 2014.

25. Walters ML, Chen J, Breiding MJ. The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010 

findings on victimization by sexual orientation. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2013. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/

nisvs_sofindings.pdf

26. Stotzer RL. Violence against transgender people: A review of United States data. Aggress Violent

Behav 2009;14:170-179.

27. Winstok Z. Partner violence: a new paradigm for understanding conflict escalation. New York (NY):

Springer Science; 2013.

28. Chapman DP, Anda RF, Felitti VJ, Dube SR, Edwards VJ, Whitfield CL. Adverse childhood experiences and 

the risk of depressive disorders in adulthood. J Affect Disord 2004;82:217-225.

29. Felitti VJ, Anda RF, Nordenberg D, Williamson DF, Spitz AM, Edwards V, Koss MP, Marks JS. Relationship

of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults.

The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study. Am J Prev Med 1998;14(4):245-258.

30. National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Data Elements for Emergency Department Systems 

(DEEDS), Release 1.0. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. [online] 1997 [cited 2012 

Dec 18]. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/pub-res/deedspage.htm.
REFERENCES 143
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APPENDICES 145

APPENDICES
146

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS
APPENDICES 147

Shay Bilchick

Office of Justice Programs U.S. Department of Justice

Lemyra Debruyn

Indian Health Service

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Nancy Fithian

Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand

Malcolm Gordon

National Institute of Mental Health

U.S. Department of Health and

Human Services

Rodrigo Guerrero

Pan American Health Organization

World Health Organization

Holly Johnson

Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics

William D. Riley

Administration of Children and Families

U.S. Department of Health and

Human Services

Jane Walstedt

Women’s Bureau

U.S. Department of Labor

Appendix A

PANEL MEMBERS AND EXTERNAL REVIEWERS FOR 1999 PUBLICATION*

Federal/International

State Health Department Representatives

Kate Hendrix

Carol Puzone

Massachusetts Department

of Public Health

Tom Largo

Patricia Smith

Michigan Department of Health

Beatriz Perez

Wendy Verhoek-Oftedahl

Rhode Island Department of Health

*Reviewers’ affiliations at the time of consultation.
148

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS

Larry Bedard

American College of Emergency Physicians

Elissa Benedek

American Psychiatric Association

Michael Doyle

American Academy of Family Physicians

Mary Ann Dutton

American Psychological Association

Anne Flitcraft

American Medical Women’s Association

Deborah Goelman

American Bar Association

Larry S. Goldman

American Medical Association

Deborah L. Horan

American College of Obstetricians

and Gynecologists

Julie Horney

American Society of Criminology

Felice Levine

American Sociological Association

Shirley Marks

National Medical Association

Bernadette Page

American Association of Women

Emergency Physicians

Pat Salber

Physicians for a Violence-Free Society

Fred Schiavone

American College of Emergency Physicians

Susan Sorenson

American Public Health Association

Sarah Torres

National Association of Hispanic Nurses

Jacquelyn W. White

American Psychological Society

Professional Associations/Medical Organizations

Gail Burns-Smith

National Alliance of Sexual Assault

Coalitions

Beverly Harris Elliott

National Coalition Against Sexual Assault

Christina Frampton

Alternatives, Inc. of Madison County

(Indiana)

Barbara Hart

Battered Women’s Justice Project

Anne Menard

National Resource Center on Domestic

Violence

Carla Parry

Domestic Violence Initiative for

Women with Disabilities

Julia Scott

National Black Women’s Health Project

Rita Smith

National Coalition Against Domestic

Violence

Coalitions/Groups/Projects
APPENDICES 149

Jeffrey Edleson

Laura Sadowski

University of Minnesota

Jeff Fagan

Columbia University

Amy Holtzworth-Munroe

Indiana University

Mary Koss

University of Arizona

Lettie Lockhart

University of Georgia

University of North Carolina —

Chapel Hill

Susan Schechter

Iowa Injury Center

Pat Tjaden

Center for Policy Research (Denver)

Kirk R. Williams

University of Colorado at Boulder

Margaret A. Zahn

North Carolina State University

Researchers
150

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS
APPENDICES 151

Appendix B

Summary of Recommended Data Elements

Data Element

Description/Definition Surveillance 

Type Data Type Number Name

1.101 Case ID A required, unique identification 

code used by those compiling 

IPV surveillance data

Record-based 

Survey

CX – extended 

composite ID with 

check digit

1.102 Data Source Agency or source from which IPV 

surveillance information

is abstracted

Record-based CE – coded element

1.103 Date of First Agency 

Documentation

Date when the agency providing 

data to the IPV surveillance 

system first documented IPV 

victimization for this person

Record-based TS – time stamp

2.101 Birth Date of Victim Date of birth of the victim Record-based 

Survey

TS – time stamp

2.102 Sex of Victim Sex of victim Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element

2.103 Race of Victim Race of victim Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element

2.104 Ethnicity of Victim Ethnicity of victim. Hispanic

or Latino ethnicity refers

to a person of Mexican, Puerto 

Rican, Cuban, South or Central 

American, or other Spanish 

culture or origin, regardless

of race. The term “Spanish 

origin” can be used in addition

to “Hispanic or Latino”

Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element

2.105 Primary Language

of Victim

Primary language of the victim Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element

2.106 Disability Status

of Victim

Disability status of the victim Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element

2.107 Sexual Orientation

of Victim

Sexual orientation of the victim Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element

2.108 Trans, Transgender, 

or Transsexual 

Identity of Victim

Whether or not the victim 

identifies as trans, transgender 

or transsexual

Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element

2.109 Marital Status

of Victim

Victim’s legal marital status

at the time when the agency 

or survey providing data to the 

IPV surveillance system first 

documented IPV victimization

for this person

Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element

2.110 City, State, and 

County of Victim’s 

Residence

City, state, and county of the 

victim’s residence at the time 

the agency or survey providing 

data to the IPV surveillance 

system first documented IPV 

victimization for this person

Record-based 

Survey

XAD – extended 

address
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Data Element

Description/Definition Surveillance 

Type Data Type Number Name

2.111 Negative Physical 

Health Conditions

in Lifetime

Negative lifetime physical health 

conditions

Survey CE – coded element

3.101 Physical Violence

by an Intimate 

Partner in Lifetime

Occurrence of physical violence 

by an intimate partner in the 

victim’s life

Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element

3.102 History of Multiple 

Episodes of Physical 

Violence by an 

Intimate Partner

in Lifetime

Indicates whether the victim 

has experienced more than one 

episode of physical violence

by an intimate partner in victim’s 

lifetime

Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element

3.103 Physical Violence by 

an Intimate Partner in 

the Past 12 Months

Occurrence of physical violence 

by an intimate partner in the past 

12 months

Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element

3.104 History of Multiple 

Episodes of Physical 

Violence by an 

Intimate Partner in 

the Past 12 Months

Occurrence of more than one 

episode of physical violence

by an intimate partner in the past 

12 months

Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element

3.201 Sexual Violence

by an Intimate 

Partner in Lifetime

Occurrence of sexual violence 

by an intimate partner in victim’s 

lifetime

Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element

3.202 History of Multiple 

Episodes of Sexual 

Violence by an 

Intimate Partner

in Lifetime

Indicates whether the victim 

has experienced more than one 

episode of sexual violence by an 

intimate partner in lifetime

Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element

3.203 Sexual Violence

by an Intimate 

Partner in the Past 

12 Months

Occurrence of sexual violence

by an intimate partner in the past 

12 months

Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element

3.204 History of Multiple 

Episodes of Sexual 

Violence by an 

Intimate Partner in 

the Past 12 Months

Whether the victim has 

experienced more than one 

episode of sexual violence

by an intimate partner in the past 

12 months

Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element

3.301 Stalking by an 

Intimate Partner

in Lifetime

Occurrence of stalking by an 

intimate partner in victim’s 

lifetime

Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element

3.302 History of Multiple 

Episodes of Stalking 

by an Intimate 

Partner in Lifetime

Indicates whether the victim 

has experienced more than 

one episode of stalking by an 

intimate partner in lifetime

Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element

3.303 Stalking by an 

Intimate Partner in 

the Past 12 Months

Occurrence of stalking by an 

intimate partner in the past

12 months

Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element

3.304 History of Multiple 

Episodes of Stalking 

by an Intimate 

Partner in the Past 

12 Months

Indicates whether the victim 

has experienced more than 

one episode of stalking by an 

intimate partner in the past

12 months

Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element
APPENDICES 153

Data Element

Description/Definition Surveillance 

Type Data Type Number Name

3.401 Psychological 

Aggression by an 

Intimate Partner

in Lifetime

Occurrence of psychological 

aggression by an intimate 

partner in lifetime

Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element

3.402 Psychological 

Aggression by an 

Intimate Partner in 

the Past 12 Months

Occurrence of psychological 

aggression by an intimate 

partner (current or former) in 

the 12 months prior to the date 

the agency or survey providing 

data to the IPV surveillance 

system first documented IPV 

victimization for this person

Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element

4.101 Type(s) of Violence in 

Most Recent Episode 

of Intimate Partner 

Violence

Type(s) of violence experienced 

by the victim in the most recent 

episode perpetrated by an 

intimate partner

Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element

4.102 Date of Most Recent 

Episode of Intimate 

Partner Violence

Date when the most recent 

episode of intimate partner 

violence ended

Record-based 

Survey

TS – time stamp

4.103 Date of Agency 

Documentation of 

Most Recent Episode 

of Intimate Partner 

Violence

Date when most recent episode 

of intimate partner violence 

was first documented by the 

agency providing data to the IPV 

surveillance system

Record-based TS – time stamp

4.104 City, State, 

and County of 

Occurrence of Most 

Recent Episode

of Intimate Partner 

Violence

City, state, and county of 

occurrence of the most recent 

violent episode perpetrated

by an intimate partner

Record-based 

Survey

XAD – extended 

address

4.105 Victim’s Pregnancy 

Status at Time of the 

Most Recent Episode 

of Intimate Partner 

Violence

Victim’s pregnancy status at the 

time of the most recent violent 

episode perpetrated by an 

intimate partner

Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element

4.106 Number of 

Perpetrators Involved 

in Most Recent 

Episode of Intimate 

Partner Violence

Whether one or more 

perpetrators were involved in the 

most recent episode of intimate 

partner violence

Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element

4.107 Relationship 

of Victim and 

Perpetrator at Time 

of the Most Recent 

Episode of Intimate 

Partner Violence

The victim’s relationship to the 

perpetrator at the time of the 

most recent violent episode 

perpetrated by an intimate 

partner

Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element

4.108 Cohabitation 

of Victim and 

Perpetrator at Time 

of the Most Recent 

Episode of Intimate 

Partner Violence

Victim and perpetrator’s 

cohabitation status at the time

of the most recent violent 

episode perpetrated by an 

intimate partner

Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element
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Data Element

Description/Definition Surveillance 

Type Data Type Number Name

4.109 Length of Intimate 

Relationship at Time 

of the Most Recent 

Episode of Intimate 

Partner Violence

Time between the most recent 

violent episode perpetrated by 

an intimate partner and the time 

when the victim and perpetrator 

first became intimate partners, 

specified in months

Record-based 

Survey

NM – numeric

4.110 Length of Time 

Relationship Had 

Been Violent

The length of time, in months, 

between the most recent violent 

episode perpetrated by an 

intimate partner and the first 

violent episode that involved the 

same partner

Record-based 

Survey

NM – numeric

4.111 Pattern of Intimate 

Partner Violence

in the Past

12 Months

Pattern of violence with the 

perpetrator of the most recent 

violent episode in the 12 months 

prior to the date of the most 

recent violent episode

Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element

4.112 Number of Children 

in Victim’s Home at 

Time of Most Recent 

Episode of Intimate 

Partner Violence

The number of children under 

age 18 who were living in the 

victim’s home at the time of the 

most recent violent episode 

perpetrated by an intimate 

partner

Record-based 

Survey

NM – numeric

4.113 Alcohol Use by 

Victim at Time of the 

Most Recent Episode 

of Intimate Partner 

Violence

Use of alcohol by the victim 

at the time of the most recent 

episode of intimate partner 

violence

Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element

4.114 Drug Use by Victim 

at Time of the Most 

Recent Episode

of Intimate Partner 

Violence

Drug use by the victim at the 

time of the most recent episode 

of IPV

Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element

4.201 Physical 

Consequences to 

Victim Attributed to 

Most Recent Episode 

of Intimate Partner 

Violence

Physical consequences

to the victim attributed to the 

most recent violent episode 

perpetrated by an intimate 

partner

Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element

4.202 Psychological 

Consequences to 

Victim Attributed to 

Most Recent Episode 

of Intimate Partner 

Violence

Psychological consequences 

to the victim attributed to the 

most recent violent episode 

perpetrated by an intimate 

partner

Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element

4.203 Medical Care 

Received by Victim 

Attributed to Most 

Recent Episode

of Intimate Partner 

Violence

Medical health care received 

by the victim following the 

most recent violent episode 

perpetrated by an intimate 

partner

Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element
APPENDICES 155

Data Element

Description/Definition Surveillance 

Type Data Type Number Name

4.204 Mental Health Care 

Received by Victim 

Attributed to Most 

Recent Episode

of Intimate Partner 

Violence

Mental health care (excluding 

substance abuse treatment) 

received by the victim following 

the most recent violent episode 

perpetrated by an intimate 

partner

Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element

4.205 Substance Abuse 

Treatment Received 

by Victim Attributed 

to Most Recent 

Episode of Intimate 

Partner Violence

The substance abuse treatment 

received by the victim following 

the most recent violent episode 

perpetrated by an intimate 

partner

Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element

4.206 Significant Life 

Disruption(s) 

Attributed to Most 

Recent Episode

of Intimate Partner 

Violence

Significant life disruption(s) 

caused or aggravated by the 

most recent episode of IPV

Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element

4.207 Deaths Related to 

Most Recent Episode 

of Intimate Partner 

Violence

All deaths associated with the 

most recent violent episode 

perpetrated by an intimate 

partner

Record-based CE – coded element

4.301 Birth Date of 

Perpetrator of Most 

Recent Episode

of Intimate Partner 

Violence

Date of birth of the perpetrator

of the most recent violent 

episode perpetrated by an 

intimate partner

Record-based 

Survey

TS – time stamp

4.302 Sex of Perpetrator

of Most Recent 

Episode of Intimate 

Partner Violence

Sex of the perpetrator of the 

most recent episode of IPV

Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element

4.303 Race of Perpetrator 

of Most Recent 

Episode of Intimate 

Partner Violence

Race of perpetrator Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element

4.304 Ethnicity of 

Perpetrator of Most 

Recent Episode of 

Intimate Partner 

Violence

Ethnicity of perpetrator. Hispanic 

or Latino ethnicity refers

to a person of Mexican, Puerto 

Rican, Cuban, South or Central 

American, or other Spanish 

culture or origin, regardless

of race. The term “Spanish 

origin” can be used in addition

to “Hispanic or Latino.”

Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element

4.305 Primary Language

of Perpetrator of 

Most Recent Episode 

of Intimate Partner 

Violence

Primary language of perpetrator Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element
156

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE:

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS

Data Element

Description/Definition Surveillance 

Type Data Type Number Name

4.306 Disability Status

of Perpetrator of 

Most Recent Episode 

of Intimate Partner 

Violence

Disability status of perpetrator Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element

4.307 Sexual Orientation 

of Perpetrator of 

Most Recent Episode 

of Intimate Partner 

Violence

Sexual orientation of perpetrator Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element

4.308 Trans, Transgender, 

or Transsexual 

Identity of 

Perpetrator of Most 

Recent Episode of 

Intimate Partner 

Violence

Whether or not a perpetrator 

identifies as trans, transgender 

or transsexual

Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element

4.309 City, State, and 

County of Residence 

of Perpetrator of 

Most Recent Episode 

of Intimate Partner 

Violence

City, state, and county

of residence of the perpetrator

of the most recent episode

of intimate partner violence,

at the time of the event

Record-based 

Survey

XAD – extended 

address

4.310 Alcohol Use by 

Perpetrator of Most 

Recent Episode

of Intimate Partner 

Violence

Use of alcohol by the perpetrator 

at the time of the most recent 

episode of intimate partner 

violence

Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element

4.311 Drug Use by 

Perpetrator of Most 

Recent Episode

of Intimate Partner 

Violence

Drug use by the perpetrator 

at the time of the most recent 

episode of IPV

Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element

4.312 Weapons Used

by Perpetrator in 

Most Recent Episode 

of Intimate Partner 

Violence

Weapons (including bodily force) 

used by the perpetrator in the 

most recent episode of intimate 

partner violence.

Record-based 

Survey

CE – coded element
US DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Center for Injury Prevention and Control

www.cdc.gov/ncipc

CS242908-A