US DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Center for Injury Prevention and Control

www.cdc.gov/ncipc

CS118600
SEXUAL VIOLENCE SURVEILLANCE: 


UNIFORM DEFINITIONS AND
 

RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS
 

VERSION 1.0 

Kathleen C. Basile, Ph.D
 

Linda E. Saltzman, Ph.D
 

2002
 

2009 - Second Printing
 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
 

National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
 

Atlanta, Georgia
 
Sexual Violence Surveillance: Uniform Definitions and Recommended Data Elements, Version 1.0 is 

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

Julie Gerberding, M.D., M.P.H., Director 

National Center for Injury Prevention and Control 

Ileana Arias, Ph.D., Director 

Division of Violence Prevention 

W. Rodney Hammond, Ph.D., Director 

Use of trade names is for identification only and does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. 

Department of Health and Human Services. This document and subsequent revisions can be 

ordered by calling 1-800-CDC-INFO or emailing cdcinfo@cdc.gov. It can also be found at the 

National Center for Injury Prevention and Control web site: www.cdc.gov/injury. 

Suggested Citation: Basile KC, Saltzman LE. Sexual violence surveillance: 

Uniform definitions and recommended data elements. Atlanta, GA: National Center 

for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2002. 
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Panel Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .iv

External Reviewers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v

Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .vi

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Uniform Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Data Elements for Traditional and Survey Surveillance of 

Sexual Violence

 Traditional Surveillance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

 Minimum Data Elements for Traditional Surveillance

 Expanded Data Elements for Traditional Surveillance

 Survey Surveillance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

 Minimum Data Elements for Survey Surveillance 

 Expanded Data Elements for Survey Surveillance

Recommended Data Elements for Sexual Violence

Section 1. 

 Identifying Information for Sexual Violence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Section 2.

 Victim Demographics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Section 3.

 Victim's First Known Incident of Sexual Violence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 

Section 4.

 Victim's Most Recent Incident of Sexual Violence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Technical Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Appendix: Summary of Recommended Data Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

iii
PANEL MEMBERS*
 

Nancy Nost Fajman, M.D., M.P.H. 

Division of General Pediatrics 

Emory University 

Atlanta, Georgia 

Dean G. Kilpatrick, Ph.D. 

National Crime Victims Research and 

Treatment Center 

Medical University of South Carolina 

Charleston, South Carolina 

Nancy Koester, M.S. 

Colorado Department of Health 

Denver, Colorado 

Melvin Kohn, M.D., M.P.H. 

Oregon Health Division 

Portland, Oregon 

Tom Largo, M.P.H. 

Michigan Department of Community Health 

Violence Prevention Section 

Lansing, Michigan 

Eleanor Lyon, Ph.D. 

School of Social Work 

University of Connecticut 

Storrs, Connecticut 

Pamela McMahon, Ph.D., M.P.H. 

Louisiana Office of Public Health 

New Orleans, Louisiana 

Angela Moore Parmley, Ph.D. 

National Institute of Justice 

Washington, D.C. 

Joan Tabachnick 

STOP IT NOW! 

Haydenville, Massachusetts 

Erin Thornley 

Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault 

Madison, Wisconsin 

* These affiliations are at the time of consultation. 

iv 
EXTERNAL REVIEWERS*
 

Judith Becker, Ph.D. 

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences 

University of Arizona 

Tucson, Arizona 

Judy Benitez, M.Ed. 

Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault 

Independence, Louisiana 

Deborah French 

Colorado Department of Health 

Denver, Colorado 

Christine Gidycz, Ph.D. 

Department of Psychology 

Ohio University 

Athens, Ohio 

Wanda K. Jones, Dr.Ph.H., M.P.H. 

DHHS Office of the Secretary 

Office of Public Health Science 

Washington, D.C. 

David Kerns, M.D. 

Department of Pediatrics 

Santa Clara Valley Medical Center 

San Jose, California 

Binnie LeHew 

Bureau of Disability and Injury Prevention 

Iowa Department of Public Health 

Des Moines, Iowa 

Nancy Linehan 

Florida State Health Office 

Sexual Violence Prevention Program 

Tallahassee, Florida 

Judi Moseley 

Women’s Health/Rape Prevention Section 

Bureau of Health Promotion and Risk Reduction 

Ohio Department of Health 

Columbus, Ohio 

Jon Roesler 

Minnesota Department of Health 

St. Paul, Minnesota 

Debbie Ruggles 

Washington State Department of Health 

Injury Prevention Program 

Olympia, Washington 

Paul Schewe, Ph.D. 

University of Illinois at Chicago 

Chicago, Illinois 

Anne Sims 

Rape Prevention & Crisis Intervention Program 

Mississippi State Department of Health 

Jackson, Mississippi 

Patricia Smith 

Violence Prevention Program 

Michigan Department of Community Health 

Lansing, Michigan 

Denise Snyder 

D.C. Rape Crisis Center 

Washington, D.C. 

* These affiliations are at the time of consultation. 

v 
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
 

We would like to give warm thanks to all of the panel members and external reviewers who 

created or commented on previous drafts of this document. In addition, we would like to thank the 

following staff members of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control for their contribution to some part of the process that resulted in this document: Joyce McCurdy, Susie Tucker, Ileana 

Arias, Len Paulozzi, Karen Lang, and Alida Knuth. We would also like to thank Tracey Foster-Butler, 

Writer-Editor, and Carole Craft, Senior Writer-Editor, from the Office of Communication Resources. 

Finally, we would like to thank Pamela McMahon and Denise Johnson for their assistance in initiating and completing this project. 

vi 
INTRODUCTION
 

The Problem of Sexual Violence 

Sexual violence is a profound social and public health problem in the United States. As 

will be covered in more detail to follow, sexual violence includes completed or attempted penetration of the genital opening or anus by the penis, a hand, a finger, or any other 

object, or penetration of the mouth by the penis or other object. Sexual violence also 

includes non-penetrative abusive sexual contact (e.g., intentional touching of the groin), 

as well as non-contact sexual abuse (e.g., voyeurism, exposure to pornography). Sexual 

violence occurs when the victim does not consent to the sexual activity, or when the 

victim is unable to consent (e.g., due to age, illness) or refuse (e.g., due to physical 

violence or threats). According to the National Violence Against Women Survey (NVAWS), 1 in 

6 women and 1 in 33 men have experienced an attempted or completed rape, defined as forced 

vaginal, oral, or anal penetration, in their lifetime (Tjaden and Thoennes 2000). These numbers 

exclude abusive sexual contact and non-contact sexual violence. Furthermore, they do not 

take into account the potential for significant underreporting of this crime due to its sensitive 

nature. Therefore, many researchers and practitioners in this field believe that existing national 

statistics underestimate the number of victims of sexual violence. 

Just as sexual violence is not limited to physically forced penetration, its perpetrators 

are not limited to strangers. Indeed, perpetrators of sexual violence are more likely to be 

someone known to the victim (Koss, Gidycz and Wisniewski 1987; Estrich 1987; Koss 1992; 

Wiehe and Richards 1995; Randall and Haskell 1995; Tjaden and Thoennes 2000; Mahoney 

and Williams 1998). Sexual violence is a problem embedded in our society and includes 

any contact and/or non-contact sexual abuse perpetrated by persons well known (e.g., 

partners or spouses), not as well known (e.g., acquaintances), and unknown to the victim (e.g., strangers). The term “sexual violence” is used here to represent many behaviors 

that may otherwise fall under the rubrics of sexual abuse, sexual assault, and any other 

sexual violations (such as sexual harassment and voyeurism). Although many who work 

in the field of sexual violence use the word “survivor” to describe the person on whom the 

sexual violence is inflicted, the word “victim” is used in this document in an effort to 

be consistent with agencies from which most of traditional surveillance information is 

gathered. For the purposes of survey surveillance, the word “survivor” may be substituted for “victim,” as long as “survivor” is defined in the same way “victim” is defined in 

this document. 

History of CDC Activities Related to the Current Project 

In 1995, Congress passed the Crime Bill, substantially increasing the monies appropriated for sexual violence prevention as well as prevention of other types of violence 

against women. In 1996, a new amendment was added to the Preventive Health and Health 

Services Block Grant that authorized monies from the Crime Bill for states for Rape Prevention 

and Education (RPE) Programs. At that time, support for block grant funds was handled by 

the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (Chronic Disease 

Center) at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The Office of the Director at CDC gave the 

lead for providing technical assistance to the state sexual assault coalitions1 and state health 

departments to CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (Injury Center).2 

Introduction 1 
As a result of the new rape prevention and education monies, meetings were held with representatives from CDC, researchers, victim advocates, and other federal leaders to help 

states organize and refine their plans for using the appropriated monies. In addition, the 

Department of Health and Human Services convened meetings around the country to 

discuss issues about sexual violence definitions, lack of adequate data, prevention 

programs, services and support for sexual violence survivors, evaluation of existing 

systems and programs, and communication. 

CDC also convened regional meetings to help build better working relationships between 

the state coalitions and state health department staff. Each state, with its sexual violence prevention partners, was encouraged to develop a plan addressing the Preventive 

Health and Health Services Block Grant data collection requirements. The Department 

of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime worked to standardize the data collected for the 

Victims of Crime Act, Violence against Women Act, and the Preventive Health and 

Health Services Block Grant. CDC Injury Center staff worked with sexual violence victim 

advocates and representatives from state health departments to develop standardized definitions that could be used for sexual violence. The process of panel and external review used to develop intimate partner violence definitions and data elements, 

published in 1999, was emulated in the development of the current sexual violence 

definitions document. 

Public Health Surveillance 

Public health surveillance is the ongoing, systematic collection, analysis, and 

interpretation of outcome-specific data for use in planning, implementing, and 

evaluating public health practice (Thacker and Berkelman 1988). Surveillance of sexual violence is important to track this problem over time and to guide prevention and 

intervention (Saltzman, Green, Marks and Thacker 2000). However, no nationally 

established mechanism exists for routine identification, recording, and monitoring of 

sexual violence. 

The Need for Consistent Definitions and Data Elements 

Currently there is a lack of consensus regarding the definition of sexual violence and 

which of its various components (e.g., rape, fondling, contact and non-contact sexual abuse) should be included as part of the term. A consistent definition is needed to 

monitor the incidence of and trends for sexual violence, to determine the scope of the 

problem, and to compare the problem across jurisdictions. A consistent definition of 

sexual violence also would help to measure and identify risk and protective factors for 

victimization and perpetration in a uniform way, which would inform prevention and intervention efforts. 

1 A state sexual assault coalition is a group of community-based rape crisis centers, sexual assault service provider 

programs and other organizations, institutions, and individuals working to address and prevent sexual violence. 

2 As of January 2000, the RPE program was taken out of the Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant and is now 

housed in CDC's Injury Center. 

2 Sexual Violence Surveillance 
In 1999, CDC published Version 1.0 of Intimate Partner Violence Surveillance: Uniform 

Definitions and Recommended Data Elements (Saltzman, Fanslow, McMahon and Shelley 

1999). That document was intended to guide data collection for public health surveillance of intimate partner violence. It included sexual violence, but only that perpetrated by 

intimate partners. The present document uses a similar process and format to focus on sexual 

violence committed by all perpetrators. The information in this document is intended for surveillance of sexual violence against both adult and child victims. 

External Panel 

Ten professionals with backgrounds in sexual violence prevention or surveillance and from 

various settings, including universities, state health departments, hospitals, sexual assault 

coalitions, and federal agencies, served as panelists for this project. Members of the panel met 

three times over 18 months — in October 1999, September 2000, and February 2001. In addition, an external group of 15 professionals working in the field of sexual violence was asked to 

review and comment on drafts of the documents. The goal of this process was to identify uniform 

definitions and data elements for sexual violence that could be implemented and pilot tested. 

“Traditional” Versus “Survey” Surveillance 

Traditionally, surveillance involves systematic, ongoing collection, analysis, and 

interpretation of data already available from sources such as emergency departments, 

police departments, or rape crisis centers. These data have typically been collected for 

other agency-related purposes, but can later be extracted and used for surveillance 

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

typically inexpensive to collect given that the data already exist. Surveys, on the other 

hand, involve systematic data collection from a representative sample of the population of interest for analysis and interpretation. Survey data are collected directly from 

individuals affected by the condition under surveillance. Surveys allow flexibility in the 

types of questions that can be asked and the level of detail of information that can be 

collected, since they do not rely upon information already existing in official agency 

records. Unlike traditional surveillance, surveys offer the opportunity to gather 

information from those who have sustained sexual violence and from similar individuals who 

have not for purposes of comparison. However, they are sometimes more expensive than record 

reviews. 

For traditional surveillance of sexual violence, data collectors are encouraged to gather information from appropriate agencies in their jurisdiction, including, but not limited to, rape crisis centers, hospitals, elder services, and shelters. In gathering this information, data collectors should 

be aware of two major issues. First, rape crisis centers and other victim service agencies are under 

strict bounds of confidentiality and, therefore, access to their records may be limited. Many service agencies are overburdened and may not have the available staff to either remove unique 

identifiers or gather information from the records themselves. Second, very little information 

about sexual violence is available from most agency records (with the possible exception of rape 

crisis centers), because many victims are not known to those agencies and thus do not appear in 

their records; they are known but not identified as sexual violence victims; or agency personnel 

may not always gather or document all of the information that might be of interest for sexual 

violence surveillance. Therefore, to better assess the magnitude of sexual violence, the panel 

recommended complimenting traditional surveillance with survey surveillance. This 

Introduction 3 
would allow for more detailed, inclusive data collection of sexual violence presently 

missing from agency records. This publication establishes a single set of uniform 

definitions for sexual violence, but it separates the proposed data elements for 

traditional and survey surveillance. For both types of data elements, we further subdivide 

minimum data elements and expanded data elements. The minimum data elements 

represent the minimum information that should be collected with each type of 

surveillance. In most traditional surveillance settings and in the context of survey 

surveillance, these data elements should be relatively easy to collect. The expanded data 

elements represent additional information that would be beneficial to collect if resources allow. For both traditional and survey surveillance, the expanded set represents elements in addition to what is already listed in the minimum set. Therefore, expanded data 

elements are inclusive of minimum data elements. 

An example of data that would be difficult to obtain using traditional surveillance 

methods is changes in psychological functioning after sexual violence. For most victims, 

these changes can be profound and long lasting (DeKeseredy 1995; Kuyken 1995; Resick 

1993; Shields and Hanneke 1992). Information about psychological functioning is usually not part of the information asked of victims at agency intake. This is particularly true if 

victims state the reason for their visit to be something such as pelvic pain or a broken bone, rather than explicitly mentioning the sexual violence. In addition, information 

revealed in an intake interview, such as psychological state, is often not recorded. That 

the data element on psychological functioning was not placed in the minimum list for 

traditional surveillance does not imply that our panel believed that psychological 

functioning is unimportant. Rather, the panel suggested that psychological functioning would 

be difficult to capture in existing and future traditional surveillance systems and better captured 

through survey surveillance. 

Contents, Purpose, and Scope of this Document 

This document includes three major sections: 

• Uniform Definitions for Sexual Violence. 

• Two Sets of Data Elements for Traditional and Survey Surveillance of 


Sexual Violence, which includes: 


• Minimum Data Elements for Traditional Surveillance; 

• Expanded Data Elements for Traditional Surveillance; 

• Minimum Data Elements for Survey Surveillance; 

• Expanded Data Elements for Survey Surveillance. 

• Recommended Data Elements for Sexual Violence, which includes: 

• Identifying Information for Sexual Violence; 

• Victim Demographics; 

• Victim’s First Known Incident of Sexual Violence; 

• Victim’s Most Recent Incident of Sexual Violence. 

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.
 

4 Sexual Violence Surveillance 
For some data elements, the following additional categories may be 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. 

Not all categories are included for all data elements because some categories do not apply 

to certain elements. Data types and field lengths conform to specifications in Health Level 

7 (HL7), a widely used protocol for electronic data exchange (HL7 1996), and ASTM's 

(formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials) E1238-94: Standard 

Specification for Transferring Clinical Observations Between Independent Computer Systems 

(ASTM 1994). The Technical Notes at the end of this document provide a detailed description 

of data types and conventions for addressing missing, unknown, and null data, as well as recommendations for handling data elements that are not applicable to selected groups of individuals. 

The definitions and data elements in this document are recommendations only. Furthermore, 

the contents of this document do not represent instruments to be used for either traditional or 

survey surveillance. Rather, this document contains definitions and data elements that can be 

used to create instruments for surveillance. When creating instruments, it is important to clearly 

communicate the definitions of sexual violence for the recorder of traditional surveillance data 

or to use behaviorally specific items that reflect the definitions of sexual violence in surveys. 

The order of the categories of sexual violence as they appear in this document, starting with 

“completed sex act against the victim’s will” and ending with “non-contact sexual abuse,” is not 

intended to suggest a hierarchy of resulting trauma. The panel emphasized that all of the types 

of sexual violence can have serious negative consequences for victims. 

Confidentiality and Safety 

Confidentiality and safety are of paramount importance in the study of sexual violence, 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 sexual violence, 

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., rape crisis centers, law enforcement agencies, or 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 without their explicit involvement or assent. 

Introduction 5 
Next Steps 

Although our focus here is on surveillance and measurement issues, the panel identified several other areas for future research: disclosure issues (e.g., who do victims tell 

about the violence), in-depth study of the psychological consequences of sexual violence, 

long-term impact of child sexual abuse, and connections between multiple experiences of 

sexual violence throughout the life course. 

This document is the first version of Sexual Violence Surveillance: Uniform Definitions 

and Recommended Data Elements; it is not intended to be the final version of this 

document. We will pilot test these definitions and data elements in the next few years and revise 

them as needed. 

While this document is similar to Intimate Partner Violence Surveillance: Uniform 

Definitions and Recommended Data Elements, it differs in some important ways. Its scope 

is broader: all perpetrators of sexual violence versus intimate partners only. It separates 

sexual violence into completed acts and attempted acts, whereas the intimate partner 

violence document combines completed and attempted sex acts in the definition of 

sexual violence. Also, the current document categorizes a “date” as a friend/acquaintance while the 1999 document classifies a “date” as an intimate partner. Our next step in 

developing uniform definitions and recommended data elements is to reconcile these 

differences. 

Please send questions or suggestions for improving this document to: 

Kathleen C. Basile, Ph.D. 

Division of Violence Prevention 

National Center for Injury Prevention and Control 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

4770 Buford Highway, NE, MS F64 

Atlanta, GA 30341-3724 

Telephone: (770) 488-4224 

E-mail: kbasile@cdc.gov 

6 Sexual Violence Surveillance 
UNIFORM DEFINITIONS
 

Sexual Violence and Associated Terms .............................................9
 

Involved Parties.............................................................10
 

Terms Associated with the Circumstances and Consequences of Violence ...................11
 

UNIFORM DEFINITIONS FOR SEXUAL VIOLENCE 

Sexual Violence and Associated Terms 

Sexual Violence — Overall Definition 

Nonconsensual completed or attempted contact between the penis and the vulva or the penis 

and the anus involving penetration, however slight; nonconsensual contact between the mouth 

and the penis, vulva, or anus; nonconsensual penetration of the anal or genital opening of 

another person by a hand, finger, or other object; nonconsensual intentional touching, either 

directly or through the clothing, of the genitalia, anus, groin, breast, inner thigh, or buttocks; 

or nonconsensual non-contact acts of a sexual nature such as voyeurism and verbal or behavioral sexual harassment. All the above acts also qualify as sexual violence if they are committed 

against someone who is unable to consent or refuse. 

Sexual violence is divided into four types and five classification categories: 

• A completed sex act (as defined below) without the victim's consent, or involving 

a victim who is unable to consent or refuse (as defined below). 

• An attempted (non-completed) sex act without the victim's consent, or involving 

a victim who is unable to consent or refuse (as defined below). 

• Abusive sexual contact (as defined below). 

• Non-contact sexual abuse (as defined below). 

• Sexual violence, type unspecified. 

– Inadequate information available to categorize into one of the other 4 categories. 

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. 

Inability to Consent 

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

age, illness, disability, being asleep, or the influence of alcohol or other drugs. 

Inability to Refuse 

Disagreement to have sexual intercourse or sexual contact was precluded because of the 

use or possession of guns or other non-bodily weapons, or due to physical violence, threats of 

physical violence, real or perceived coercion, intimidation or pressure, or misuse of authority. 

Sex Act (or Sexual Act) 

Contact between the penis and the vulva or the penis and the anus involving penetration, however 

slight; contact between the mouth and the penis, vulva, or anus; or penetration 

of the anal or genital opening of another person by a hand, finger, or other object. 

Abusive 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. 

Uniform Definitions 9 
Non-Contact Sexual Abuse 

Sexual abuse that does not include physical contact of a sexual nature between the perpetrator 

and the victim. It includes acts such as voyeurism; intentional exposure of an individual to 

exhibitionism; unwanted exposure to pornography; verbal or behavioral sexual harassment; 

threats of sexual violence to accomplish some other end; or taking nude photographs of a sexual 

nature of another person without his or her consent or knowledge, or of a person who is unable to 

consent or refuse. 

Incident 

A single act or series of acts of sexual violence that are perceived to be connected to one 

another and that may persist over a period of minutes, hours, or days. One perpetrator or 

multiple perpetrators may commit an incident. 

Examples of an incident include a husband forcing his wife to have unwanted sexual acts 

but only one time, a stranger attacking and sexually assaulting a woman after breaking into her 

apartment, a man kidnapping a female acquaintance and repeatedly assaulting her over a weekend before she is freed, a college student forced to have sex by several men at a fraternity party, 

a man forcing his boyfriend to have unwanted sex, or a family member touching the genitalia of 

a 6-year-old child. 

Involved Parties 

Victim 

Person on whom the sexual violence is inflicted. Survivor is often used as a synonym 

for victim. 

Perpetrator 

Person who inflicts the sexual violence. 

Intimate Partner 

Current legal spouses, current common-law spouses, current boyfriends/girlfriends 

(opposite or same sex), former legal spouses, former common-law spouses, separated 

spouses, or former boyfriends/girlfriends (opposite or same sex). Intimate partners may 

or may not be cohabiting. Intimate partners may or may not have an existing sexual 

relationship. If the victim and the perpetrator have a child in common but no current 

relationship, then by definition they fit into the category of former legal spouse, former 

common-law spouse, or former boyfriend/girlfriend. 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. 

Current or Former Legal Spouse 

Someone to whom the victim is or was legally married, as well as a separated legal spouse. 

Another Current or Former Intimate Partner 

Someone, besides a legal current, former, or separated spouse, with whom the victim has or had 

an ongoing intimate relationship, such as a common-law spouse, former common-law spouse, 

separated common-law spouse, cohabiting intimate partner, former cohabiting 

intimate partner, boyfriend/girlfriend, former boyfriend/girlfriend (opposite or same sex). 

10 Sexual Violence Surveillance 
Another Family Member 

Someone sharing a relationship by blood or marriage, or other legal contract or arrangement (i.e., 

legal adoption, foster parenting). This includes current as well as former family relationships. 

Therefore, though not an exhaustive list, stepparents, parents, siblings, former in-laws, and adopted family members are included in this category. This category excludes intimate partners. 

Person in Position of Power or Trust 

Someone such as a teacher, nanny, caregiver, foster care worker, religious leader, coach, or 

employer (not an exhaustive list). 

Friend/Acquaintance 

Someone who is known to the victim but is not related to the victim by blood or marriage, and is 

not a current or former spouse, another current or former intimate partner, another family member, or a person in a position of power or trust. Examples are a co-worker, 

neighbor, date, former date, or roommate (not an exhaustive list). 

Another Non-Stranger 

Someone who is known by sight but is not a current or former spouse, another current or 

former intimate partner, another family member, a person in a position of power or trust, 

or a friend/acquaintance. Examples include guards, maintenance people, or clerks (not an 

exhaustive list). 

Stranger 

Someone unknown to the victim. 

Terms Associated with the Circumstances and Consequences of Violence 

Illness 

An acute or short-term condition of poor health. It includes a physical or a mental condition. 

Examples of illnesses are pneumonia or depressive episodes. 

Disability 

Any chronic or long-term impairment resulting in some restriction or lack of ability to 

perform an action or activity in the manner or within the range considered normal. It includes 

a physical or a mental impairment. Examples of disabilities are mental retardation, paralysis, or 

clinical depression. 

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. 

Pregnancy Impact 

Pregnancy resulting from sexual violence or loss of an existing pregnancy following 

sexual violence. 

Uniform Definitions 11 
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 injuries are vaginal or anal tears attributable to an incident of sexual violence. 

Physical Violence 

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, strangling, shaking, poking, 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, mental health, emotional, behavioral, or social role functioning of the victim. 

Changes in psychological functioning can be either temporary or intermittent (i.e., persisting for 

180 days or less) 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. 

Inpatient Medical Health Care 

Treatment by a physician or other health care professional related to the physical health of a victim 

who has been admitted to a hospital. 

Outpatient Medical Health Care 

Treatment by a physician or other health care professional related to the physical health of a victim 

who has not been admitted to a hospital. Includes treatment in an emergency department. 

Physical Evidence Collection 

Collection of hairs, fibers or specimens of body fluids from a victim’s body or garments that may 

aid in the identification of the perpetrator. 

Mental Health Care 

Individual or group care by credentialed or licensed psychiatrists, psychologists, social 

workers, or other counselors related to the mental health of the victim. Excludes substance abuse 

treatment. It may involve treatment when the victim has been admitted to a hospital or when the 

victim has not been admitted. It includes pastoral counseling if such counseling is specifically 

related to the mental health of the victim. 

Residential Institution 

A location where the victim or perpetrator resides. Includes settings such as a nursing home, a 

college campus, a retirement home, or a jail/prison (not an exhaustive list). 

Commercial Establishment 

A business such as a restaurant, a bar or club, or a gym or athletic facility (not an exhaustive list). 

Law Enforcement 

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

12 Sexual Violence Surveillance 
DATA ELEMENTS FOR TRADITIONAL AND 


SURVEY SURVEILLANCE OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE
 

DATA ELEMENTS FOR TRADITIONAL AND SURVEY 

SURVEILLANCE OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE 

I. TRADITIONAL SURVEILLANCE 

Traditional surveillance across 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. 

A. MINIMUM DATA ELEMENTS 

1.01 Case ID 

1.02 Data source 

2.01 Birth date of victim 

2.02 Sex of victim 

2.03 Race of victim 

2.04 Hispanic or Latino ethnicity of victim 

2.05 City, state, and county of victim's residence 

4.01 Most recent type(s) of sexual violence 

4.06 City, state, and county of location of most recent incident of sexual violence 

4.12 Relationship of perpetrator(s) and victim at time of most recent incident of 

sexual violence 

4.19 Physical injury to victim during most recent incident of sexual violence 

4.20 Deaths related to most recent incident of sexual violence 

4.30 Date of most recent incident of sexual violence 

B. EXPANDED DATA ELEMENTS 

All minimum data elements for traditional surveillance (1.01, 1.02, 2.01, 2.02, 2.03, 2.04, 2.05, 4.01, 

4.06, 4.12, 4.19, 4.20, 4.30), plus: 

3.08	 Number of incidents in lifetime 

4.07	 Multiple perpetrators involved in most recent incident of sexual violence 

4.08	 Sex of perpetrator(s) involved in most recent incident of sexual violence 

4.09	 Race of perpetrator(s) involved in most recent incident of sexual violence 

4.10	 Hispanic or Latino ethnicity of perpetrator(s) involved in most recent incident of 

sexual violence 

4.11	 Age of perpetrator(s) involved in most recent incident of sexual violence 

4.16	 Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) diagnosed following most recent incident of 

sexual violence 

4.17	 Sexually transmitted disease (excluding HIV) diagnosed following most recent incident 

of sexual violence 

4.18	 Pregnancy impact from most recent incident of sexual violence 

4.21	 Change(s) in psychological functioning in victim from most recent incident of 

sexual violence 

4.24	 Physical evidence collection by a healthcare provider following most recent incident of 

sexual violence 

4.26	 Law enforcement contacted following most recent incident of sexual violence 

Data Elements for Traditional and Survey Surveillance of Sexual Violence 15 
II. SURVEY SURVEILLANCE 

A. MINIMUM DATA ELEMENTS 

2.02 Sex of victim 

2.03 Race of victim 

2.04 Hispanic or Latino ethnicity of victim 

3.08 Number of incidents in lifetime 

4.01 Most recent type(s) of sexual violence 

4.02 Age of victim at time of most recent incident of sexual violence 

4.03 Number of incidents of sexual violence in past 12 months 

4.11 Age of perpetrator(s) involved in most recent incident of sexual violence 

4.12 Relationship of perpetrator(s) and victim at time of most recent incident 

of sexual violence 

4.19 Physical injury to victim during most recent incident of sexual violence 

4.21 Change(s) in psychological functioning in victim from most recent incident 

of sexual violence 

B. EXPANDED DATA ELEMENTS 

All minimum data elements for survey surveillance (2.02, 2.03, 2.04, 3.08, 4.01, 4.02, 4.03, 4.11, 4.12, 

4.19, 4.21), plus: 

1.01	 Case ID 

2.01	 Birth date of victim 

2.05	 City, state, and county of victim's residence 

3.01	 First known type(s) of sexual violence ever 

3.02	 Age of victim at time of first known incident of sexual violence ever 

3.03	 Circumstances at time of first known incident of sexual violence ever 

3.04	 Weapon used during first known incident of sexual violence ever 

3.05	 Multiple perpetrators involved in the first known incident of sexual violence ever 

3.06	 Relationship of perpetrator(s) and victim at time of first known incident of sexual 

violence ever 

3.07	 Cohabitation of victim and perpetrator(s) at time of first known incident of sexual 

violence ever 

4.04	 Circumstances at time of most recent incident of sexual violence 

4.05	 Weapon used during most recent incident of sexual violence 

4.06	 City, state, and county of location of most recent incident of sexual violence 

4.07	 Multiple perpetrators involved in most recent incident of sexual violence 

4.08	 Sex of perpetrator(s) involved in most recent incident of sexual violence 

4.09	 Race of perpetrator(s) involved in most recent incident of sexual violence 

4.10	 Hispanic or Latino ethnicity of perpetrator(s) involved in most recent incident 

of sexual violence 

4.13	 Whether perpetrator(s) in most recent incident has sexually victimized victim in 

the past 

4.14	 Cohabitation of victim and perpetrator(s) at time of most recent incident of 

sexual violence 

4.15	 Location of most recent incident of sexual violence 

4.16	 Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) diagnosed following most recent incident 

of sexual violence 

4.17	 Sexually transmitted disease (excluding HIV) diagnosed following most recent 

incident of sexual violence 

16 Sexual Violence Surveillance 
4.18	 Pregnancy impact from most recent incident of sexual violence
 

4.22	 Inpatient medical care received by victim following most recent incident 


of sexual violence
 

4.23	 Outpatient medical care received by victim following most recent incident 


of sexual violence
 

4.24	 Physical evidence collection by a healthcare provider following most recent incident 


of sexual violence
 

4.25	 Mental health care received by victim following most recent incident of 


sexual violence 


4.26	 Law enforcement contacted following most recent incident of sexual violence
 

4.27	 Involvement of rape crisis center/sexual assault service provider following most 


recent incident of sexual violence
 

4.28	 Involvement of child protective services following most recent incident of 


sexual violence
 

4.29	 Involvement of adult protective services following most recent incident of 


sexual violence
 

4.30	 Date of most recent incident of sexual violence
 

Data Elements for Traditional and Survey Surveillance of Sexual Violence 17 

RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS FOR SEXUAL
 

VIOLENCE SURVEILLANCE
 

RECOMMENDED DATA ELEMENTS FOR SEXUAL 

VIOLENCE SURVEILLANCE 

KEY 

TRADITIONAL SURVEILLANCE — MINIMUM 

Refers to the least amount of information that should be collected through traditional 

surveillance. 

TRADITIONAL SURVEILLANCE — EXPANDED 

Refers to information in addition to “traditional surveillance — minimum” that will be 

available in some cases and beneficial to collect through traditional surveillance, but 

that may not be practical to collect in all settings. 

SURVEY SURVEILLANCE — MINIMUM 

Refers to the least amount of information that should be collected through survey 

surveillance. 

SURVEY SURVEILLANCE — EXPANDED 

Refers to information in addition to “survey surveillance — minimum” that would be 

beneficial to collect if resources allow. 

Recommended Data Elements for Sexual Violence Surveillance 21 

IDENTIFYING INFORMATION 

1.01 Case ID 

1.02 Data Source 

S

E

C

T

I

O

N 

1
 

CASE ID
 1.01 

Description/Definition 

A required, unique identification code for each case in the system used by the agency or 

survey compiling sexual violence surveillance data. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

Traditional surveillance — minimum 

Survey surveillance — expanded 

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 or collecting sexual violence surveillance data, or, specific to traditional surveillance, it may be an identifier 

previously assigned by the contributing data source. Case ID may or may not be identical 

to the unique identifier created to allow linkage across multiple sources. 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

CX — extended composite ID with check digit (20). 

See Technical Notes. 

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, 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 2.3 (HL7 1996).

 1 

Identifying Information 25
1.01 DATA SOURCE
 

Description/Definition 

Source from which sexual violence surveillance information is abstracted. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

Traditional surveillance — minimum 

Discussion 

No single agency or survey is likely to include all of the data elements recommended. As 

a consequence, anyone setting up a surveillance system will likely need to combine data from 

a number of sources (e.g., health care records, police records, and a survey) using a relational database. This will allow information about 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 1.01 Case ID. 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

CE — coded element (60). 

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 

05 Prosecutor/District attorney 

06 Other court-related or criminal justice-related agency 

07 Rape crisis center/Sexual assault service provider 

08 Battered women’s shelter/Domestic or family violence program 

09 Combined battered women’s shelter/Rape crisis center 

10 Telephone hotline for victim services, other than those provided by a 

battered women’s shelter, domestic or family violence program, or rape 

crisis center/sexual assault service provider* 

11 Coroner or medical examiner 

12 Vital statistics office within state health department 

13 Elder abuse agency/Adult Protective Services 

14 Child protective services 

15 Disabled persons agency 

16 Other victim service agency (specify) 

17 Other social service agency (specify) 

18 Other agency (specify) 

19 Community or population-based survey 

*Sometimes a rape crisis center/sexual assault service provider, a battered women’s shelter, 

or a domestic or family violence program also provides telephone hotline services for victims. If such 

telephone hotlines are the data source, code as “07,” “08,” or “09.” 

26 Sexual Violence Surveillance 
VICTIM DEMOGRAPHICS
 

2.01 Birth Date of Victim 

2.02 Sex of Victim 

2.03 Race of Victim 

2.04 Hispanic or Latino Ethnicity of Victim 

2.05 City, State, and County of Victim’s Residence S 

E 

C 

T 

I 

O 

N 

2 

BIRTH DATE OF VICTIM
 2.01 

Description/Definition 

Victim’s date of birth. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

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

Traditional surveillance — minimum 

Survey surveillance — expanded 

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 4.30 (Date of most recent incident of sexual violence) 

to calculate the victim’s age at the time that incident occurred. For survey surveillance, year of 

birth may be sufficient. 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

TS — time stamp (26). 

Field Values/Coding Instructions 

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

date of April 21, 1969, would be coded as “19690421.” 

See method recommended under TS — time stamp in the Technical Notes for estimating 

victim’s age. 

Data Standards or Guidelines 

E1384-96 (ASTM 1996) and Health Level 7, Version 2.3 (HL7 1996). 

2 

Victim Demographics 29
2.02 SEX OF VICTIM
 

Description/Definition 

Sex of victim. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

Standard demographic and identifying information for victim. 

Traditional surveillance — minimum 

Survey surveillance — minimum 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

CE — coded element (60). 

Field Values/Coding Instructions 

Code Description 

1 Male 

2 Female 

3 Other (specify) 

9 Unknown or undetermined 

30 Sexual Violence Surveillance 
RACE OF VICTIM
 2.03 

Description/Definition 

Race of victim. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

Standard demographic and identifying information on perpetrator. Data on race are used in public health surveillance and in epidemiological, behavioral and social science, clinical, and health 

services research. 

Traditional surveillance — minimum 

Survey surveillance — minimum 

Discussion 

For more than 20 years, the federal government has promoted the use of a common language 

to promote uniformity and comparability of data on race and ethnicity for population groups. 

Development of the data standards stemmed in large measure from new responsibilities to enforce 

civil rights laws. Data were needed to monitor equal access in housing, education, employment, and 

other areas for populations that had historically experienced discrimination and differential treatment because of their race or ethnicity. The standards are used not only in the decennial census 

(which provides the data for the “denominator” for many measures), but also in household surveys, 

on administrative forms (e.g., school registration and mortgage-lending applications), and in medical and other research. The categories represent a social-political construct designed for collecting 

data on the race and ethnicity of broad population groups in the United States. 

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. Since 1977, the federal government has sought to standardize data on race and ethnicity 

among its agencies. The Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Revisions to the Standards for 

the Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity (OMB 1997) was developed to meet federal 

legislative and program requirements, and these 

standards are used widely in the public and private sectors. The directive provides five basic racial 

categories but states that the collection of race 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 five basic groups. Although the directive 

does not specify a method of determining an individual's race, OMB prefers 

self-identification to identification by an observer whenever possible. The directive states 

that persons of mixed racial origins should be coded using multiple categories and not a 

multiracial category. 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

CE — coded element (60). 

Repetition 

Repeat coding is allowed for multiple racial categories. 

2 

Victim Demographics 31
Field Values/Coding Instructions 

Code Description 

1	 American Indian/Alaska Native — a person having origins in any of the 

original peoples of North and South America (including Central America), 

and who maintains tribal affiliation or community attachment 

2	 Asian — a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, 

Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent including, for example, Cambodia, 

China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, 

Thailand, and Vietnam 

3	 Black or African American — a person having origins in any of the black racial 

groups of Africa. Terms such as “Haitian” or “Negro” can be used in addition 

to “Black or African American” 

4	 Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander — a person having origins in any 

of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands 

5	 White — a person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, 

the Middle East, or North Africa 

6	 Other race (specify) 

9	 Unknown — a person’s race is unknown 

Data Standards or Guidelines 

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

(OMB 1997). 

Other References 

Core Health Data Elements (National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics 1996). 

32 Sexual Violence Surveillance 
HISPANIC OR LATINO ETHNICITY OF VICTIM
 2.04 

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/Type of Surveillance 

Data on ethnicity are used in public health surveillance and in epidemiological, behavioral and 

social science, clinical, and health services research. 

Traditional surveillance — minimum 

Survey surveillance — minimum 

Discussion 

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 its agencies. The 

Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Revisions to the Standards for the Classification of Federal 

Data on Race and Ethnicity (OMB 1997) 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 the Hispanic category in a combined race/ethnicity data element 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). 

Field Values/Coding Instructions 

Code Description 

1 Of Hispanic or Latino origin 

2 Not of Hispanic or Latino origin 

9 Unknown whether of Hispanic or Latino origin 

Data Standards or Guidelines 

Revisions to the Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity (OMB 1997). 

Other References 

Core Health Data Elements (National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics 1996). 

2 

Victim Demographics 33
2.05 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 sexual violence surveillance system first documented sexual violence victimization for 

this person. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

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

and data element 4.06 (City, state, and county of location of most recent incident of sexual 

violence), and may have implications for intervention strategies. 

Traditional surveillance — minimum 

Survey surveillance — expanded 

Discussion 

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

of this element if linkage across data sources is desired. However, to protect privacy and 

confidentiality, access to this level of detail must be limited to authorized personnel. Data 

collectors must take every step to ensure victim safety and confidentiality if the full extended version 

of this data element is used. 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

XAD — extended address (106). 

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 for additional information about 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 2.3 (HL7 1996). 

34 Sexual Violence Surveillance 
VICTIM’S FIRST KNOWN INCIDENT OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE
 

3.01 First Known Type(s) of Sexual Violence Ever 

3.02 Age of Victim at Time of First Known Incident of Sexual Violence Ever 

3.03 Circumstances at Time of First Known Incident of Sexual Violence Ever 

3.04 Weapon Used During First Known Incident of Sexual Violence Ever 

3.05 Multiple Perpetrators Involved in First Known Incident of Sexual 

Violence Ever 

3.06 Relationship of Perpetrator(s) and Victim at Time of First Known Incident 

of Sexual Violence Ever 

3.07 Cohabitation of Victim and Perpetrator(s) at Time of First Known Incident 

of Sexual Violence Ever S 

3.08 Number of Incidents in Lifetime E 

C 

T 

I 

O 

N 

3 

35 

FIRST KNOWN TYPE(S) OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE EVER
 3.01 

Description/Definition 

Type(s) of sexual violence involved in the victim’s first known incident of sexual violence. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

Identifies all types of sexual violence that occurred in the first known incident of sexual 

violence. 

Survey surveillance — expanded 

Discussion 

This data element, through repeat coding, can provide information about each type of 

sexual violence in the first known incident ever. 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

CE — coded element (60). 

Repetition 

Repeat coding is allowed for multiple types of sexual violence in first incident ever. 

Field Values/Coding Instructions 

Code Description 

0 No known sexual violence by anyone ever 

1 Completed sex act without the victim’s consent or involving a victim 

who is unable to consent or refuse 

2 Attempted (non-completed) sex act without the victim‘s consent, or 

involving a victim who is unable to consent or refuse 

3 Abusive sexual contact 

4 Non-contact sexual abuse 

5 Sexual violence, type unspecified 

9 Unknown whether any category of sexual violence ever occurred 

If the response is coded “9” (unknown whether any category of sexual violence ever occurred), codes 

“0,” “1,” “2,” “3,” “4,” or “5” should not be used. 

3 

Victim’s First Known Incident of Sexual Violence 37
3.02 

AGE OF VICTIM AT FIRST TIME OF KNOWN INCIDENT OF 

SEXUAL VIOLENCE EVER 

Description/Definition 

Age of victim at time of first known incident of sexual violence described in 3.01. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

This data element, used with data element 2.01 (Birth Date of Victim) allows for determination 

of how long ago the first incident of sexual violence happened. 

Survey surveillance — expanded 

Discussion 

If exact age at time of first known incident of sexual violence ever is not available or is unknown, the 

age ranges and codes below should be used to estimate age. 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

NM — numeric (3) for exact age; CE — coded element (60) for age ranges. 

Field Values/Coding Instructions 

Code Description 

884 Birth to 12 years old 

885 13 to 17 years old 

886 18 to 29 years old 

887 30 to 44 years old 

888 45 to 59 years old 

889 60 to 64 years old 

890 65 years or older 

999 Unknown 

38 Sexual Violence Surveillance 
CIRCUMSTANCES AT TIME OF FIRST KNOWN INCIDENT OF 

SEXUAL VIOLENCE EVER 3.03 

Description/Definition 

Circumstances associated with the first known incident of sexual violence described in 3.01. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

Identifies some of the circumstances associated with the first known incident of sexual 

violence. 

Survey surveillance — expanded 

Discussion 

Additional information can be collected that differentiates illicit and prescription drug use 

by victim and/or perpetrator. 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

CE — coded element (60). 

Repetition 

Repeat coding is allowed. 

Field Values/Coding Instructions 

Code Description 

1 Victim legally under age1 

2 Perpetrator legally under age1 

3 Illness of victim 

4 Disability of victim 

5 Drug given to victim without victim's knowledge (e.g., Gamma 

Hydroxy Butyrate [GHB], Rohypnol) 

6 Alcohol use by victim 

7 Alcohol use by perpetrator 

8 Other drug use by victim (specify) 

9 Other drug use by perpetrator (specify) 

10 Substance abuse (alcohol or other drugs) by victim, unspecified 

11 Substance abuse (alcohol or other drugs) by perpetrator, unspecified 

12 Physical violence or explicit threats of physical violence 

13 Other real or perceived intimidation/pressure/coercion 

14 Misuse of authority 

98 Other (specify) 

99 Unknown 

3 

1

This age will vary by state. 

Victim’s First Known Incident of Sexual Violence 39
3.04 

WEAPON USED DURING FIRST KNOWN INCIDENT OF SEXUAL 

VIOLENCE EVER 

Description/Definition 

Type(s) of weapon(s) other than bodily force used in the first known incident of sexual violence 

described in 3.01. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

Documents the use of a gun, knife, or other non-bodily weapon in the first known incident of 

sexual violence. 

Survey surveillance — expanded 

Discussion 

Severity and likelihood of physical injury and other serious consequences may be associated with 

weapon use. Data collectors may want to record more information to elaborate on code “3” (other 

non-bodily weapon(s) used). 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

CE — coded element (60). 

Repetition 

Repeat coding is allowed. 

Field Values/Coding Instructions 

Code Description 

1 Gun used 

2 Knife used 

3 Other non-bodily weapon(s) used (specify) 

9 Unknown 

40 Sexual Violence Surveillance 
MULTIPLE PERPETRATORS INVOLVED IN FIRST KNOWN 

INCIDENT OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE EVER 3.05 

Description/Definition 

Whether one or multiple perpetrators were involved in the first known incident of sexual 

violence described in 3.01. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

Allows examination of differences between incidents involving one perpetrator and incidents involving more than one perpetrator. 

Survey surveillance — expanded 

Discussion 

Sexual violence incidents involving more than one perpetrator may differ in nature from 

sexual violence incidents involving only one perpetrator. 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

CE — coded element (60). 

Field Values/Coding Instructions 

Code Description 

1 First incident of sexual violence involved one perpetrator. 

2 First incident of sexual violence involved two or more perpetrators. 

9 Unknown number of perpetrators was involved in first incident of 

sexual violence. 

3 

Victim’s First Known Incident of Sexual Violence 41
3.06 

RELATIONSHIP OF PERPETRATORS(S) AND VICTIM AT TIME
 

OF FIRST KNOWN INCIDENT OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE EVER
 

Description/Definition 

The relationship of the victim and perpetrator(s) at the time of the first known incident 

of sexual violence described in 3.01. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

Allows examination of a full range of possible relationships between victim and perpetrator and 

allows examination of differences in experiences by type of relationship. 

Survey surveillance — expanded 

Discussion 

Legally married spouses are categorized separately in this data element because laws related to 

sexual violence in some states apply only to legally married spouses. Separating these 

categories would allow the collector to examine the differences in experiences that might exist due 

to the legality of the relationship. 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

CE — coded element (60). 

Repetition 

If there was more than one perpetrator (see data element 3.05 Multiple Perpetrators), code the relationship of each perpetrator involved in the first incident of sexual violence ever described in 3.01. 

Field Values/Coding Instructions 

Code Description 

1 In the first incident of sexual violence ever, the perpetrator was a current legal 

spouse of the victim. 

2 In the first incident of sexual violence ever, the perpetrator was a former legal 

spouse of the victim. 

3 In the first incident of sexual violence ever, the perpetrator was another current 

intimate partner of the victim. 

4 In the first incident of sexual violence ever, the perpetrator was another former 

intimate partner of the victim. 

5 In the first incident of sexual violence ever, the perpetrator was another family 

member of the victim. 

6 In the first incident of sexual violence ever, the perpetrator was a person in 

a position of power or trust to the victim. 

7 In the first incident of sexual violence ever, the perpetrator was a 

friend/acquaintance of the victim. 

8 In the first incident of sexual violence ever, the perpetrator was a person known for 

less than 24 hours. 

9 In the first incident of sexual violence ever, the perpetrator was another 

non-stranger to the victim. 

10 In the first incident of sexual violence ever, the perpetrator was a stranger to 

the victim. 

99 In the first incident of sexual violence ever, the relationship with the 

perpetrator is unknown. 

42 Sexual Violence Surveillance 
This data element should be coded to reflect the perpetrator’s relationship to the victim at the time of 

the first incident of sexual violence described in 3.01. 

3 

Victim’s First Known Incident of Sexual Violence 43
3.07 

COHABITATION OF VICTIM AND PERPETRATOR(S) AT TIME OF 

FIRST KNOWN INCIDENT OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE EVER 

Description/Definition 

The living arrangement of victim and perpetrator(s) at the time of the first known incident of sexual 

violence described in 3.01. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

Allows the examination of differences based on whether the victim and perpetrator were living 

together at the time of the first known incident of sexual violence. 

Survey surveillance — expanded 

Discussion 

This data element could serve as a proxy for familiarity between victim and perpetrator if information about data element 3.06 (Relationship of perpetrator and victim) is not available. 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

CE — coded element (60). 

Repetition 

If there was more than one perpetrator (see data element 3.05 Multiple Perpetrators), code data on 

the living arrangements of the victim and each of the perpetrators who committed 

the first incident of sexual violence described in 3.01. 

Field Values/Coding Instructions 

Code Description 

0 Victim was known NOT to be sharing the same primary residence as the 

perpetrator at the time of the first incident of sexual violence. 

1 Victim was known to be sharing the same primary residence as the perpetrator 

at the time of the first incident of sexual violence. 

9 Unknown if the victim was sharing the same primary residence as the 

perpetrator at the time of the first incident of sexual violence. 

44 Sexual Violence Surveillance 
NUMBER OF INCIDENTS IN LIFETIME
 3.08 

Description/Definition 

Number of incidents of sexual violence in the victim’s lifetime. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

Provides a measure of the frequency of incidents of sexual violence in the victim's 

lifetime by any perpetrator. 

Traditional surveillance — expanded 

Survey surveillance — minimum 

Discussion 

Recall that the definition of incident is “A single act or series of acts of sexual violence that 

are perceived to be connected to one another and that may persist over a period of minutes, hours, 

or days. One perpetrator or multiple perpetrators may commit an incident.” Although the definition 

of sexual violence includes five distinct categories, the codes here combine information across the 

five categories to provide a general measure of lifetime prevalence 

of sexual violence. 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

CE — coded element (60). 

Field Values/Coding Instructions 

Code Description 

0 No known sexual violence by anyone ever 

1 1 incident of sexual violence in the victim’s lifetime 

2 2-5 incidents of sexual violence in the victim’s lifetime 

3 6-10 incidents of sexual violence in the victim’s lifetime 

4 More than 10 incidents of sexual violence in the victim’s lifetime 

9 Unknown how many incidents of sexual violence in the victim’s lifetime 

If data element 3.01 is used and the response is coded “0” (no known sexual violence occurred 

by anyone ever) or “9” (unknown whether any category of sexual violence ever occurred), this 

data element should not be used. 

3 

Victim’s First Known Incident of Sexual Violence 45

VICTIM’S MOST RECENT INCIDENT OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE 

If data element 3.01 is used and the response is coded “0” (no known sexual violence occurred by 

anyone ever) or “9” (unknown whether any category of sexual violence ever occurred), this section 

(4) of the document should not be used. 

If 3.08 is used and the response is coded “0” (no known sexual violence occurred by anyone ever) or 

“9” (unknown how many incidents of sexual violence in the victim’s lifetime), this 

section (4) of the document should not be used. 

4.01	 Most Recent Type(s) of Sexual Violence 

4.02	 Age of Victim at Time of Most Recent Incident of Sexual Violence 

4.03	 Number of Incidents of Sexual Violence in Past 12 Months 

4.04	 Circumstances at Time of Most Recent Incident of Sexual Violence 

4.05	 Weapon Used During Most Recent Incident of Sexual Violence 

4.06	 City, State, and County of Location of Most Recent Incident of Sexual Violence 

4.07	 Multiple Perpetrators Involved in Most Recent Incident of Sexual Violence 

4.08	 Sex of Perpetrator(s) Involved in Most Recent Incident of Sexual Violence 

4.09	 Race of Perpetrator(s) Involved in Most Recent Incident of Sexual Violence 

4.10	 Hispanic or Latino Ethnicity of Perpetrator(s) Involved in Most Recent Incident 

of Sexual Violence 

4.11	 Age of Perpetrator(s) Involved in Most Recent Incident of Sexual Violence 

4.12	 Relationship of Perpetrator(s) and Victim at Time of Most Recent Incident 

of Sexual Violence 

4.13	 Whether Perpetrator(s) in Most Recent Incident Has Sexually Victimized Victim 

in the Past 

4.14	 Cohabitation of Victim and Perpetrator(s) at Time of Most Recent Incident 

of Sexual Violence 

4.15	 Location of Most Recent Incident of Sexual Violence 

4.16	 Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Diagnosed Following Most Recent Incident 

of Sexual Violence 

4.17	 Sexually Transmitted Disease (excluding HIV) Diagnosed Following Most Recent 

Incident of Sexual Violence 

4.18	 Pregnancy Impact from Most Recent Incident of Sexual Violence 

4.19	 Physical Injury to Victim during Most Recent Incident of Sexual Violence 

4.20	 Deaths related to Most Recent Incident of Sexual Violence 

4.21	 Change(s) in Psychological Functioning in Victim from Most Recent Incident 

of Sexual Violence 

4.22	 Inpatient Medical Care Received by Victim Following Most Recent Incident 

of Sexual Violence 

4.23	 Outpatient Medical Care Received by Victim Following Most Recent Incident 

of Sexual Violence 

4.24	 Physical Evidence Collection by a Healthcare Provider Following Most Recent 

Incident of Sexual Violence 

4.25	 Mental Health Care Received by Victim Following Most Recent Incident 

of Sexual Violence 

4.26	 Law Enforcement Contacted Following Most Recent Incident of Sexual Violence 

4.27	 Involvement by a Rape Crisis Center/Sexual Assault Service Provider Following 

Most Recent Incident of Sexual Violence 

4.28	 Involvement by Child Protective Services Following Most Recent Incident 

of Sexual Violence 

4.29	 Involvement by Adult Protective Services Following Most Recent Incident of 

Sexual Violence 

4.30	 Date of Most Recent Incident of Sexual Violence 

S
 

E
 

C
 

T
 

I
 

O
 

N
 

4
 

MOST RECENT TYPE(S) OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE
 4.01 

Description/Definition 

Type(s) of sexual violence involved in the victim’s most recent incident of sexual violence. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

Identifies all types of sexual violence that occurred in the most recent incident. 

Traditional surveillance — minimum 

Survey surveillance — minimum 

Discussion 

This data element, with repeat coding, provides information about each type of sexual 

violence in the most recent incident committed by any perpetrator. 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

CE — coded element (60). 

Repetition 

Repeat coding is allowed for multiple types of sexual violence in most recent incident. 

Field Values/Coding Instructions 

Code Description 

0 No known sexual violence by anyone ever 

1 Completed sex act without the victim’s consent, or involving a victim 

who is unable to consent or refuse 

2 Attempted (non-completed) sex act without the victim’s consent, or 

involving a victim who is unable to consent or refuse 

3 Abusive sexual contact 

4 Non-contact sexual abuse 

5 Sexual violence, type unspecified 

9 Unknown whether any category of sexual violence ever occurred 

If the response is coded “9” (unknown whether any category of sexual violence ever occurred), codes 

“0,” “1,” “2,” “3,” “4,” or “5” should not be used. 

4 

Victim’s Most Recent Incident of Sexual Violence 49
4.02 

AGE OF VICTIM AT TIME OF MOST RECENT INCIDENT OF 

SEXUAL VIOLENCE 

Description/Definition 

Age of victim at time of most recent incident of sexual violence described in 4.01. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

This data element, used with data element 2.01 (Birth Date of Victim) allows for determination of 

how long ago the most recent incident of sexual violence happened. 

Survey surveillance — minimum 

Discussion 

If exact age at time of most recent incident of sexual violence is not available or is unknown, the age 

ranges and codes below should be used to estimate age. 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

NM — numeric (3) for exact age; CE — coded element (60) for age ranges. 

Field Values/Coding Instructions 

Code Description 

884 Birth to 12 years old 

885 13 to 17 years old 

886 18 to 29 years old 

887 30 to 44 years old 

888 45 to 59 years old 

889 60 to 64 years old 

890 65 years or older 

999 Unknown 

50 Sexual Violence Surveillance 
NUMBER OF INCIDENTS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN 

PAST 12 MONTHS 4.03 

Description/Definition 

Number of incidents of sexual violence that occurred in the 12 months prior to the date 

of contact with the agency or survey providing data to the surveillance system. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

Allows an estimation of the frequency of sexual violence within the last year by any 

perpetrator. 

Survey surveillance — minimum 

Discussion 

Recall the definition of an incident: “A single act or series of acts of sexual violence that are perceived 

to be connected to one another and that may persist over a period of minutes, hours, or days. One 

perpetrator or multiple perpetrators may commit an incident.” Although the definition of sexual violence includes five distinct categories, the codes here combine information across the five categories 

to provide a general measure of past year incidence 

of sexual violence. 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

CE — coded element (60). 

Field Values/Coding Instructions 

Code Description 

0 0 incidents of sexual violence in the 12 months prior to the date the agency 

or survey providing data to the sexual violence surveillance system first 

documented sexual violence victimization for this person 

1 1 incident of sexual violence in the 12 months prior to the date the agency 

or survey providing data to the sexual violence surveillance system first 

documented sexual violence victimization for this person 

2 2-5 incidents of sexual violence in the 12 months prior to the date the agency 

or survey providing data to the sexual violence surveillance system first 

documented sexual violence victimization for this person 

3 6-10 incidents of sexual violence in the 12 months prior to the date the 

agency or survey providing data to the sexual violence surveillance system 

first documented sexual violence victimization for this person 

4 More than 10 incidents of sexual violence in the 12 months prior to the date 

the agency or survey providing data to the sexual violence surveillance system 

first documented sexual violence victimization for this person 

9 Unknown how many incidents of sexual violence in the 12 months prior to 

the date the agency or survey providing data to the sexual violence 

surveillance system first documented sexual violence victimization for 

this person 

4 

Victim’s Most Recent Incident of Sexual Violence 51
CIRCUMSTANCES AT TIME OF MOST RECENT INCIDENT OF

4.04 SEXUAL VIOLENCE

Description/Definition

Circumstances associated with the most recent incident of sexual violence described in 4.01.

Uses/Type of Surveillance

Identifies some of the circumstances associated with the most recent incident of sexual 

violence.

Survey surveillance — expanded

Discussion

Additional information can be collected that differentiates illicit and prescription drug use 

by victim and/or perpetrator.

Data Type (and Field Length)

CE — coded element (60).

Repetition

Repeat coding is allowed.

Field Values/Coding Instructions

Code Description

1 Victim legally under age2

2 Perpetrator legally under age2

3 Illness of victim

4 Disability of victim

5 Drug given to victim without victim's knowledge (e.g., Gamma 

 Hydroxy Butyrate [GHB], Rohypnol)

6 Alcohol use by victim

7 Alcohol use by perpetrator

8 Other drug use by victim (specify) 

9 Other drug use by perpetrator (specify)

10 Substance abuse by victim, unspecified 

11 Substance abuse by perpetrator, unspecified

12 Physical violence or explicit threats of physical violence

13 Other real or perceived intimidation/pressure/coercion

14 Misuse of authority

98 Other (specify)

99 Unknown

2 This age will vary by state.

52 Sexual Violence Surveillance
WEAPON USED DURING MOST RECENT INCIDENT 

OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE 4.05 

Description/Definition 

Type(s) of weapon(s) other than bodily force used in the most recent incident of sexual 

violence described in 4.01. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

Documents the use of a gun, knife, or other non-bodily weapon in the most recent 

incident of sexual violence. 

Survey surveillance — expanded 

Discussion 

Severity and likelihood of physical injury and other serious consequences may be associated with 

weapon use. Data collectors may want to record more information on code “3” (other non-bodily 

weapon(s) used). 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

CE — coded element (60). 

Repetition 

Repeat coding is allowed. 

Field Values/Coding Instructions 

Code Description 

0 No weapon used 

1 Gun used 

2 Knife used 

3 Other non-bodily weapon(s) used (specify) 

9 Unknown if weapon used 

4 

Victim’s Most Recent Incident of Sexual Violence 53
4.06 

CITY, STATE, AND COUNTY OF LOCATION OF MOST RECENT 

INCIDENT OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE 

Description/Definition 

City, state, and county of location of the most recent incident of sexual violence described 

in 4.01. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

Allows correspondence between the location of the victim's residence and the location of the most 

recent incident of sexual violence and may have implications for intervention strategies. 

Traditional surveillance — minimum 

Survey surveillance — expanded 

Discussion 

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

of this element if linkage across data sources is desired. However, to protect privacy and 

confidentiality, access to this level of detail must be limited to authorized personnel. Data 

collectors must take every step to ensure victim safety and confidentiality if the full extended version 

of this data element is used. 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

XAD — extended address (106). 

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 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 2.3 (HL7 1996). 

54 Sexual Violence Surveillance 
MULTIPLE PERPETRATORS INVOLVED IN MOST RECENT 

INCIDENT OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE 4.07 

Description/Definition 

Whether one or multiple perpetrators were involved in the most recent incident of sexual 

violence described in 4.01. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

Allows examination of differences between incidents involving one perpetrator and incidents involving more than one perpetrator. 

Traditional surveillance — expanded 

Survey surveillance — expanded 

Discussion 

Sexual violence incidents involving more than one perpetrator may differ in nature from 

those involving only one perpetrator. 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

CE — coded element (60). 

Field Values/Coding Instructions 

Code Description 

1 The most recent incident of sexual violence involved one perpetrator. 

2 The most recent incident of sexual violence involved two or more perpetrators. 

9 Unknown number of perpetrators was involved in most recent incident 

of sexual violence. 

4 

Victim’s Most Recent Incident of Sexual Violence 55
4.08 

SEX OF PERPETRATOR(S) INVOLVED IN MOST RECENT INCIDENT 

OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE 

Description/Definition 

Sex of perpetrator(s) involved in the most recent incident of sexual violence described in 4.01. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

Standard demographic and identifying information for perpetrator. 

Traditional surveillance — expanded 

Survey surveillance — expanded 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

CE — coded element (60). 

Repetition 

If there was more than one perpetrator (see data element 4.07 Multiple Perpetrators), code data on 

the sex of each perpetrator involved in the most recent incident of sexual violence described in 4.01. 

Field Values/Coding Instructions 

Code Description 

1 Male 

2 Female 

3 Other (specify) 

9 Unknown or undetermined 

56 Sexual Violence Surveillance 
RACE OF PERPETRATOR(S) INVOLVED IN MOST RECENT 

INCIDENT OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE 4.09 

Description/Definition 

Race of perpetrator(s) involved in the most recent incident of sexual violence described in 4.01. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

Standard demographic and identifying information on perpetrator. Data on race are used 

in public health surveillance and in epidemiological, behavioral and social science, clinical, and 

health services research. 

Traditional surveillance — expanded 

Survey surveillance — expanded 

Discussion 

For more than 20 years, the federal government has promoted the use of a common language 

to promote uniformity and comparability of data on race and ethnicity for population groups. 

Development of the data standards stemmed in large measure from new responsibilities to enforce 

civil rights laws. Data were needed to monitor equal access in housing, education, employment, and 

other areas for populations that historically had experienced discrimination and differential treatment because of their race or ethnicity. The standards are used not only 

in the decennial census (which provides the data for the “denominator” for many measures), but 

also in household surveys, on administrative forms (e.g., school registration and 

mortgage-lending applications), and in medical and other research. The categories represent 

a social-political construct designed for collecting data on the race and ethnicity of broad 

population groups in the United States. 

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. Since 1977, the federal government has sought to standardize data on race and ethnicity 

among its agencies. The Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Revisions to the Standards for 

the Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity (OMB 1997) was developed to meet federal 

legislative and program requirements, and these 

standards are used widely in the public and private sectors. The directive provides five basic racial 

categories but states that the collection of race 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 five basic groups. Although the 

directive does not specify a method of determining an individual’s race, OMB prefers self-identification to identification by an observer whenever possible. The directive states that persons of mixed 

racial origins should be coded using multiple categories and 

not a multiracial category. 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

CE — coded element (60). 

4 

Victim’s Most Recent Incident of Sexual Violence 57
Repetition 

Repeat coding is allowed for multiple racial categories. 

If there was more than one perpetrator (see data element 4.07 Multiple Perpetrators), code data on 

the race(s) of each perpetrator involved in the most recent incident of sexual violence described in 

4.01. 

Field Values/Coding Instructions 

Code Description 

1 American Indian/Alaska Native — a person having origins in any of the 

original peoples of North and South America (including Central America), 

and who maintains tribal affiliation or community attachment 

2 Asian — a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, 

Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent including, for example, Cambodia, 

China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, 

Thailand, and Vietnam 

3 Black or African American — a person having origins in any of the black racial 

groups of Africa. Terms such as “Haitian” or “Negro” can be used in addition 

to “Black or African American” 

4 Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander - a person having origins in any 

of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands 

5 White — a person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, 

the Middle East, or North Africa 

6 Other race (specify) 

9 Unknown — a person’s race is unknown 

Data Standards or Guidelines 

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

(OMB 1997). 

Other References 

Core Health Data Elements (National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics 1996). 

58 Sexual Violence Surveillance 
HISPANIC OR LATINO ETHNICITY OF PERPETRATOR(S) INVOLVED 

IN MOST RECENT INCIDENT OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE 4.10 

Description/Definition 

Ethnicity of perpetrator(s) involved in the most recent incident of sexual violence described 

in 4.01. 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/Type of Surveillance 

Data on ethnicity are used in public health surveillance and in epidemiological, behavioral 

and social science, clinical, and health services research. 

Traditional surveillance — expanded 

Survey surveillance — expanded 

Discussion 

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 its agencies. The 

Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Revisions to the Standards for the Classification of Federal 

Data on Race and Ethnicity (OMB 1997) 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 the Hispanic category in a combined race/ethnicity data element 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 

If there was more than one perpetrator (see data element 4.07 Multiple Perpetrators), code data on 

the ethnicity of each perpetrator involved in the most recent incident of sexual 

violence described in 4.01. 

4.1 

Victim’s Most Recent Incident of Sexual Violence 59
Field Values/Coding Instructions 

Code Description 

1 Of Hispanic or Latino origin 

2 Not of Hispanic or Latino origin 

9 Unknown whether of Hispanic or Latino origin 

Data Standards or Guidelines 

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

(OMB 1997). 

Other References 

Core Health Data Elements (National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics 1996). 

60 Sexual Violence Surveillance 
AGE OF PERPETRATOR(S) AT TIME OF MOST RECENT INCIDENT 

OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE 4.11 

Description/Definition 

Age of perpetrator(s) at time of the most recent incident of sexual violence described in 4.01. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

This data element, used with data element 4.02 (Age of Victim at Time of Most Recent Incident of 

Sexual Violence) allows for determination of age difference between victim and perpetrator. 

Traditional surveillance — expanded 

Survey surveillance — minimum 

Discussion 

If exact age at time of most recent incident of sexual violence is not available or is unknown, the age 

categories and codes below should be used to estimate age. 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

NM — numeric (3) for exact age; CE — coded element (60) for age ranges. 

Repetition 

If there was more than one perpetrator (see data element 4.07 Multiple Perpetrators), code data on 

the age of each perpetrator involved in the most recent incident of sexual violence described in 4.01. 

Field Values/Coding Instructions 

Code Description 

884 Birth to 12 years old 

885 13 to 17 years old 

886 18 to 29 years old 

887 30 to 44 years old 

888 45 to 59 years old 

889 60 to 64 years old 

890 65 years or older 

999 Unknown 

4.1 

Victim’s Most Recent Incident of Sexual Violence 61
4.12 

RELATIONSHIP OF PERPETRATOR(S) AND VICTIM AT TIME OF 

MOST RECENT INCIDENT OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE 

Description/Definition 

The relationship of perpetrator(s) to the victim at the time of the most recent incident 

of sexual violence described in 4.01. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

Allows examination of a full range of possible relationships between victim and perpetrator and 

allows examination of differences in experiences by type of relationship. 

Traditional surveillance — minimum 

Survey surveillance — minimum 

Discussion 

Legally married spouses are categorized separately in this data element because laws 

related to sexual violence in some states apply only to legally married spouses. Separating these 

categories would allow the collector to examine the differences in experiences that might exist due 

to the legality of the relationship. 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

CE — coded element (60). 

Repetition 

If there was more than one perpetrator (see data element 4.07 Multiple Perpetrators), code 

the relationship of each perpetrator involved in the most recent incident of sexual violence described 

in 4.01. 

Field Values/Coding Instructions 

Code Description 

1 In the most recent incident of sexual violence, the perpetrator was a current 

legal spouse of the victim. 

2 In the most recent incident of sexual violence, the perpetrator was a former 

legal spouse of the victim. 

3 In the most recent incident of sexual violence, the perpetrator was another 

current intimate partner of the victim. 

4 In the most recent incident of sexual violence, the perpetrator was another 

former intimate partner of the victim. 

5 In the most recent incident of sexual violence, the perpetrator was another 

family member of the victim. 

6 In the most recent incident of sexual violence, the perpetrator was a person 

in a position of power or trust to the victim. 

7 In the most recent incident of sexual violence, the perpetrator was a 

friend/acquaintance of the victim. 

8 In the most recent incident of sexual violence, the perpetrator was a 

person known for less than 24 hours. 

9 In the most recent incident of sexual violence, the perpetrator was another 

non-stranger to the victim. 

62 Sexual Violence Surveillance 
10 In the most recent incident of sexual violence, the perpetrator was a stranger 

to the victim. 

99 In the most recent incident of sexual violence, the relationship with the 

perpetrator is unknown. 

The data element should be coded to reflect the perpetrator’s relationship to the victim at the time of 

the most recent incident of sexual violence described in 4.01. 4.1 

Victim’s Most Recent Incident of Sexual Violence 63
4.13 

WHETHER PERPETRATOR(S) IN MOST RECENT INCIDENT HAS 

SEXUALLY VICTIMIZED VICTIM IN THE PAST 

Description/Definition 

Whether or not the perpetrator(s) in the most recent incident of sexual violence described 

in 4.01 has (have) sexually victimized the victim in the past. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

This data element is designed to determine if there was a history of previous sexual violence 

by the perpetrator in the most recent incident. It can be used to estimate a pattern of violence by the 

same perpetrator and can be linked with data element 4.12 (Relationship of Perpetrator and Victim). 

Survey surveillance — expanded 

Discussion 

Some research suggests that repeated sexual violence by the same perpetrator may increase in frequency or severity over time (Finkelhor and Yllo 1985; Russell 1990). This data element, as currently 

written, does not allow for a record of the changes in the types of sexual violence by the same perpetrator over time. Data collectors may wish to create additional data 

elements to document more detailed information about the types of sexual violence 

committed by the same perpetrator as in the most recent incident. 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

CE — coded element (60). 

Repetition 

If there was more than one perpetrator (see data element 4.07 Multiple Perpetrators), code data on 

each perpetrator involved in the most recent incident of sexual violence described 

in 4.01. 

Field Values/Coding Instructions 

Code Description 

0 Perpetrator in most recent incident has NOT sexually victimized the victim 

in the past. 

1 Perpetrator in most recent incident has sexually victimized the victim in 

the past. 

9 Unknown whether or not perpetrator in most recent incident has sexually 

victimized the victim in the past. 

64 Sexual Violence Surveillance 
COHABITATION OF VICTIM AND PERPETRATOR(S) AT TIME OF 

MOST RECENT INCIDENT OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE 4.14 

Description/Definition 

The living arrangement of the victim and perpetrator(s) at the time of the most recent incident of 

sexual violence described in 4.01. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

Allows the examination of differences based on whether the victim and perpetrator were living 

together at the time of the most recent incident of sexual violence. 

Survey surveillance — expanded 

Discussion 

This data element could serve as a proxy for familiarity between victim and perpetrator if information on data element 4.12 (Relationship of Perpetrator and Victim) is not available. 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

CE — coded element (60). 

Repetition 

If there was more than one perpetrator (see data element 4.07 Multiple Perpetrators), code data on 

the living arrangements of the victim and each of the perpetrators who perpetrated 

the most recent incident of sexual violence described in 4.01. 

Field Values/Coding Instructions 

Code Description 

0 Victim was known NOT to be sharing the same household as the perpetrator 

at the time of the most recent incident of sexual violence. 

1 Victim was known to be sharing the same household as the perpetrator 

at the time of the most recent incident of sexual violence. 

9 Unknown if the victim was sharing the same household as the perpetrator 

at the time of the most recent incident of sexual violence. 

4.1 

Victim’s Most Recent Incident of Sexual Violence 65
4.15 LOCATION OF MOST RECENT INCIDENT OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE
 

Description/Definition 

The physical location of the most recent incident of sexual violence described in 4.01. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

This data element may have implications for intervention strategies. 

Survey surveillance — expanded 

Discussion 

This data element may assist in determining whether certain locations are more common 

than others. 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

CE — coded element (60). 

Repetition 

Repeat coding is allowed if sexual violence in most recent incident occurred in more 

than one physical location. 

Field Values/Coding Instructions 

Code Description 

1 Perpetrator’s residence 

2 Victim’s residence 

3 Perpetrator’s and victim’s shared residence 

4 Residential institution 

5 Victim's place of employment 

6 Perpetrator's place of employment 

7 Car 

8 Parking lot/garage 

9 Outdoors (specify) 

10 Commercial establishment 

11 Other (specify) 

99 Unknown 

66 Sexual Violence Surveillance 
HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV) DIAGNOSED 

FOLLOWING MOST RECENT INCIDENT OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE 4.16 

Description/Definition 

Whether or not Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) was diagnosed following the most recent 

incident of sexual violence described in 4.01. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

Documents HIV infection following the most recent incident of sexual violence. 

Traditional surveillance — expanded 

Survey surveillance — expanded 

Discussion 

It is conceivable that HIV could be contracted from sexual contact other than that which occurred in 

the most recent incident of sexual violence. In addition, if the most recent 

incident of sexual violence was within 3 to 6 months of the date of record or data of survey, possible 

HIV infection may be unknown or undetectable. 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

CE — coded element (60). 

Field Values/Coding Instructions 

Code Description 

0 Victim was known NOT to have been diagnosed with HIV following the most 

recent incident of sexual violence. 

1 Victim was known to have been diagnosed with HIV following the most recent 

incident of sexual violence. 

9 Unknown if victim was diagnosed with HIV following the most recent incident 

of sexual violence. 

4.1 

Victim’s Most Recent Incident of Sexual Violence 67
4.17 

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE (EXCLUDING HIV) 

DIAGNOSED FOLLOWING MOST RECENT INCIDENT OF 

SEXUAL VIOLENCE 

Description/Definition 

Whether or not a sexually transmitted disease (excluding HIV) was diagnosed following 

the most recent incident of sexual violence described in 4.01. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

Documents sexually transmitted disease (STD) infection, not including HIV, following 

the most recent incident of sexual violence. 

Traditional surveillance — expanded 

Survey surveillance — expanded 

Discussion 

It is conceivable that an STD could be contracted from sexual contact other than that which occurred 

in the most recent incident of sexual violence. In addition, if the most recent 

incident of sexual violence was within 3 to 6 months of the date of record or data of survey, possible 

STD infection may be unknown or undetectable. 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

CE — coded element (60). 

Field Values/Coding Instructions 

Code Description 

0 Victim was known NOT to have been diagnosed with an STD (excluding HIV) 

following the most recent incident of sexual violence. 

1 Victim was known to have been diagnosed with an STD (excluding HIV) 

following the most recent incident of sexual violence. 

9 Unknown if victim was diagnosed with an STD (excluding HIV) following 

the most recent incident of sexual violence. 

68 Sexual Violence Surveillance 
PREGNANCY IMPACT FROM MOST RECENT INCIDENT OF 

SEXUAL VIOLENCE 4.18 

Description/Definition 

The pregnancy impact to the victim following the most recent incident of sexual violence 

described in 4.01. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

This data element allows for an examination of the relationship between the most recent 

incident of sexual violence and occurrence of pregnancy or loss of existing pregnancy. 

Traditional surveillance — expanded 

Survey surveillance — expanded 

Discussion 

This data element combines a pregnancy resulting from the sexual violence with loss of an existing 

pregnancy as a result of the sexual violence. Data collectors may want to separate these two categories to understand differences between these two types of pregnancy impact. 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

CE — coded element (60). 

Field Values/Coding Instructions 

Code Description 

0 Victim was known NOT to have had a pregnancy impact following the most 

recent incident of sexual violence. 

1 Victim was known to have had a pregnancy impact following the most recent 

incident of sexual violence. 

9 Unknown if victim had a pregnancy impact following the most recent incident 

of sexual violence. 

4.1 

Victim’s Most Recent Incident of Sexual Violence 69
4.19 

PHYSICAL INJURY TO VICTIM DURING MOST RECENT INCIDENT 

OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE 

Description/Definition 

The physical injury to the victim during the most recent incident of sexual violence described in 

4.01. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

This data element documents the extent of physical injury experienced by the victim during the most 

recent incident of sexual violence. 

Traditional surveillance — minimum 

Survey surveillance — minimum 

Discussion 

This data element only documents those injuries that are recognized as happening during the most 

recent incident of sexual violence. Data collectors may want to gather more detail about the types of 

physical injuries that occurred during the most recent incident. 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

CE — coded element (60). 

Field Values/Coding Instructions 

Code Description 

0 Victim was known NOT to have suffered any physical injury during the most 

recent incident of sexual violence. 

1 Victim was known to have suffered physical injury during the most recent 

incident of sexual violence. 

9 Unknown if victim suffered physical injury during the most recent incident 

of sexual violence. 

70 Sexual Violence Surveillance 
DEATHS RELATED TO MOST RECENT INCIDENT OF 

SEXUAL VIOLENCE 4.20 

Description/Definition 

All deaths associated with the most recent incident of sexual violence described in 4.01. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

Incidents of sexual violence involving one or more deaths may be different in nature from those that 

do not involve any fatalities. 

Traditional surveillance — minimum 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

CE — coded element (60). 

Repetition 

Repeat coding is allowed if more than one death occurred as a result of most recent incident. 

Field Values/Coding Instructions 

Code Description 

0 No known deaths resulted from the most recent incident of sexual violence. 

1 Victim’s death, by homicide, resulted from the most recent incident of 

sexual violence. 

2 Victim’s death, self-inflicted, resulted from the most recent incident of 

sexual violence. 

3 Perpetrator’s death, by homicide, resulted from the most recent incident 

of sexual violence. 

4 Perpetrator’s death, self-inflicted, resulted from the most recent incident 

of sexual violence. 

5 Death of someone else resulted from the most recent incident of 

sexual violence. 

9 Unknown if any deaths resulted from the most recent incident of 

sexual violence. 

4.2 

Victim’s Most Recent Incident of Sexual Violence 71
4.21 

CHANGE(S) IN PSYCHOLOGICAL FUNCTIONING IN VICTIM 

FROM MOST RECENT INCIDENT OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE 

Description/Definition 

The change(s) in psychological functioning caused or aggravated by the most recent incident of 

sexual violence described in 4.01. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

Allows an examination of a full range of possible changes in psychological functioning as a result of 

the most recent incident of sexual violence. 

Traditional surveillance — expanded 

Survey surveillance — minimum 

Discussion 

Research emphasizes the links between sexual violence and various changes in psychological functioning (DeKeseredy 1995; Resick 1993). Data collectors may want to gather more detail on the types 

of changes in psychological functioning to determine differential effects of the various types. 

Some psychological consequences will not be evident in the most recent incidents of sexual violence 

(e.g., depression), especially if the violence happened relatively recently. But it is important for surveillance mechanisms to try to track the multitude of changes in 

psychological functioning that may occur over time following sexual violence, such 

as increases in anxiety, depression, eating disorders, or post-traumatic stress disorder 

(PTSD), as these are often consequences of sexual violence (Kilpatrick, Resnick, Saunders 

and Best 1998; Kuyken 1995; Resick 1993; Shields and Hanneke 1992). 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

CE — coded element (60). 

Field Values/Coding Instructions 

Code Description 

0 Victim was known NOT to have suffered change(s) in psychological functioning 

caused or aggravated by the most recent incident of sexual violence. 

1 Victim was known to have suffered change(s) in psychological functioning 

caused or aggravated by the most recent incident of sexual violence. 

9 Unknown what, if any, change(s) in the victim’s psychological functioning 

caused or aggravated by the most recent incident of sexual violence. 

72 Sexual Violence Surveillance 
INPATIENT MEDICAL CARE RECEIVED BY VICTIM FOLLOWING 

MOST RECENT INCIDENT OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE 4.22 

Description/Definition 

The inpatient medical health care received by the victim following the most recent incident 

of sexual violence described in 4.01. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

This data element documents the inpatient medical care received by the victim. 

Survey surveillance — expanded 

Discussion 

This data element may be used as a proxy for data element 4.19 (Physical Injury), if that 

information is not available. This element may also provide an estimate of the severity of 

physical injury and/or psychological changes. 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

CE — coded element (60). 

Field Values/Coding Instructions 

Code Description 

0 Victim was known NOT to have received any inpatient medical health care 

following the most recent incident of sexual violence. 

1 Victim was known to have received inpatient medical health care following 

the most recent incident of sexual violence. 

9 Unknown if the victim received inpatient medical health care following 

the most recent incident of sexual violence. 

4.2 

Victim’s Most Recent Incident of Sexual Violence 73
4.23 

OUTPATIENT MEDICAL CARE RECEIVED BY VICTIM FOLLOWING 

MOST RECENT INCIDENT OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE 

Description/Definition 

The outpatient medical health care received by the victim following the most recent incident of sexual violence described in 4.01. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

This data element documents the outpatient medical health care received by the victim. 

Survey surveillance — expanded 

Discussion 

This data element may be used as a proxy for data element 4.19 (Physical Injury), if that 

information is not available. This element may also provide an estimate of the severity 

of physical injury and/or changes in psychological functioning. 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

CE — coded element (60). 

Field Values/Coding Instructions 

Code Description 

0 Victim was known NOT to have received any outpatient medical health care 

following the most recent incident of sexual violence. 

1 Victim was known to have received outpatient medical health care following 

the most recent incident of sexual violence. 

9 Unknown if the victim received outpatient medical health care following 

the most recent incident of sexual violence. 

74 Sexual Violence Surveillance 
PHYSICAL EVIDENCE COLLECTION BY A HEALTHCARE 

PROVIDER FOLLOWING MOST RECENT INCIDENT 

OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE 4.24 

Description/Definition 

Physical evidence collection by a healthcare provider completed for the victim following 

the most recent incident of sexual violence described in 4.01. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

This data element documents whether or not physical evidence was collected as a result 

of the most recent incident. 

Traditional surveillance — expanded 

Survey surveillance — expanded 

Discussion 

Physical evidence collection may not be applicable if, for example, the incident was 

non-contact sexual abuse or the duration of time elapsed since the incident was too 

long to collect evidence. 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

CE — coded element (60). 

Field Values/Coding Instructions 

Code Description 

0 Physical evidence was NOT collected following the most recent incident 

of sexual violence. 

1 Physical evidence was collected following the most recent incident of 

sexual violence. 

8 Evidence collection is not applicable. 

9 Unknown if evidence was collected following the most recent incident 

of sexual violence. 

If both 8 and 9 are known to be true, use code 8. 

4.2 

Victim’s Most Recent Incident of Sexual Violence 75
4.25 

MENTAL HEALTH CARE RECEIVED BY VICTIM FOLLOWING MOST 

RECENT INCIDENT OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE 

Description/Definition 

The mental health care received by the victim following the most recent incident of sexual 

violence described in 4.01. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

This data element documents care received related to changes in psychological functioning. 

Survey surveillance — expanded 

Discussion 

Research demonstrates the link between sexual violence and serious decreases in 

psychological functioning. This data element may be used as a proxy if information 

for data element 4.21 (Changes in Psychological Functioning) is not available. 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

CE — coded element (60). 

Field Values/Coding Instructions 

Code Description 

0 Victim was known NOT to have received mental health care following the 

most recent incident of sexual violence. 

1 Victim was known to have received mental health care within one year 

following the most recent incident of sexual violence. 

2 Victim was known to have received mental health care at some time after one 

year following the most recent incident of sexual violence.* 

9 Unknown if the victim received mental health care following the most recent 

incident of sexual violence. 

*An example of mental health care at some time after one year is if an adult received mental health 


care 10 years after a childhood experience of sexual violence.
 

If a rape crisis center or other sexual assault service provider is located in the mental health facility, 


code as a rape crisis center or other sexual assault service provider under 


element 4.27.
 

76 Sexual Violence Surveillance 
LAW ENFORCEMENT CONTACTED FOLLOWING MOST RECENT 

INCIDENT OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE 4.26 

Description/Definition 

Whether law enforcement was contacted at any time following the most recent incident 

of sexual violence described in 4.01. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

This data element allows for an estimate of the amount and type(s) of sexual violence reported to 

law enforcement. 

Traditional surveillance — expanded 

Survey surveillance — expanded 

Discussion 

Research shows that the large majority of sexual violence is unreported to authorities 

(Bachar and Koss 2001; Koss 1992; Plichta and Falik 2001). When collecting data through 

survey surveillance, this data element can be used to calculate the percentage of the sample for 

which the most recent incident of sexual violence was reported. This data element can 

also be used in conjunction with 4.01 (Type(s) of Sexual Violence) and 4.12 (Relationship of 

Perpetrator(s) and Victim) to determine if there are patterns of reporting based on type of 

sexual violence and/or relationship to perpetrator. 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

CE — coded element (60). 

Field Values/Coding Instructions 

Code Description 

0 Law enforcement was NOT contacted following the most recent incident 

of sexual violence. 

1 Law enforcement was contacted following the most recent incident of sexual 

violence. 

9 Unknown if law enforcement was contacted following the most recent 

incident of sexual violence. 

4.2 

Victim’s Most Recent Incident of Sexual Violence 77
4.27 

INVOLVEMENT BY A RAPE CRISIS CENTER/SEXUAL ASSAULT 

SERVICE PROVIDER FOLLOWING MOST RECENT INCIDENT OF 

SEXUAL VIOLENCE 

Description/Definition 

Whether or not there was involvement by a rape crisis center or other sexual assault service provider 

(e.g., child advocacy center) following the most recent incident of sexual violence described in 4.01. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

This data element allows for an estimate of the number and type(s) of sexual violence 


incidents that are brought to the attention of rape crisis centers or sexual assault service providers. 


Survey surveillance — expanded
 

Discussion 

Research shows that the large majority of sexual violence is unreported (Bachar and Koss 2001; Koss 

1992; Plichta and Falik 2001). When collecting data through survey surveillance, this data element 

can be used to calculate the percentage of the sample for which the most recent 

incident of sexual violence was reported to rape crisis centers or sexual assault service providers. 

This data element can also be used in conjunction with 4.01 (Type[s] of Sexual Violence) and 4.12 

(Relationship of Perpetrator[s] and Victim) to determine if there are 

patterns of reporting based on type of sexual violence and/or relationship to perpetrator. 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

CE — coded element (60). 

Field Values/Coding Instructions 

Code Description 

0 Involvement by a rape crisis center or other sexual assault service provider did 

NOT occur following the most recent incident of sexual violence. 

1 Involvement by a rape crisis center or other sexual assault service provider did 

occur within one year following the most recent incident of sexual violence. 

2 Involvement by a rape crisis center or other sexual assault service provider did 

occur at some time after one year following the most recent incident of sexual 

violence.* 

9 Unknown if there was involvement by a rape crisis center or other sexual 

assault service provider following the most recent incident of sexual violence. 

*An example of involvement by a rape crisis center or other sexual assault service provider at any 

time after one year is if an adult went to a rape crisis center 10 years after a childhood experience of 

sexual violence. 

If the rape crisis center or other sexual assault service provider is located in a mental health facility, 

code as a rape crisis center or other sexual assault service provider. 

78 Sexual Violence Surveillance 
INVOLVEMENT BY CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES FOLLOWING 

MOST RECENT INCIDENT OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE 4.28 

Description/Definition 

Whether or not there was involvement by child protective services for the victim following 

the most recent incident of sexual violence described in 4.01. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

This data element allows for an estimate of the number and type(s) of sexual violence 

incidents that are brought to the attention of child protective services. 

Survey surveillance — expanded 

Discussion 

This data element refers to the victim of the most recent incident of sexual violence. The most recent 

incident of sexual violence may have occurred several years ago, when the victim was 

a child. The victim can either be a child or an adult who is referring back to childhood. 

Research shows that the large majority of sexual violence is unreported (Bachar and Koss 2001; Koss 

1992; Plichta and Falik 2001). When collecting data through survey surveillance, this data element 

can be used to calculate the percentage of the sample for which the most recent 

incident of sexual violence was reported to child protective services. This data element can also be 

used in conjunction with 4.01 (Type[s] of Sexual Violence) and 4.12 (Relationship of Perpetrator[s] 

and Victim) to determine if there are patterns of reporting based on type of 

sexual violence and/or relationship to perpetrator. 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

CE — coded element (60). 

Field Values/Coding Instructions 

Code Description 

0 Involvement by child protective services did NOT occur following the most 

recent incident of sexual violence. 

1 Involvement by child protective services did occur following the most recent 

incident of sexual violence. 

8 Involvement by child protective services was not applicable because the victim 

was an adult at the time of the most recent incident of sexual violence. 

9 Unknown if there was involvement by child protective services following 

the most recent incident of sexual violence. 

4.2 

Victim’s Most Recent Incident of Sexual Violence 79
4.29 

INVOLVEMENT BY ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES FOLLOWING 

MOST RECENT INCIDENT OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE 

Description/Definition 

Whether or not there was involvement by adult protective services for the victim following 

the most recent incident of sexual violence described in 4.01. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

This data element allows for an estimate of the number and type(s) of sexual violence 

incidents that are brought to the attention of adult protective services. 

Survey surveillance — expanded 

Discussion 

Research shows that the large majority of sexual violence is unreported (Bachar and Koss 2001; Koss 

1992; Plichta and Falik 2001). When collecting data through survey surveillance, this data element 

can be used to calculate the percentage of the sample for which the most recent 

incident of sexual violence was reported to adult protective services. This data element can also be 

used in conjunction with 4.01 (Type[s] of Sexual Violence) and 4.12 (Relationship of Perpetrator[s] 

and Victim) to determine if there are patterns of reporting based on type of 

sexual violence and/or relationship to perpetrator. 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

CE — coded element (60). 

Field Values/Coding Instructions 

Code Description 

0 Involvement by adult protective services did NOT occur following the most 

recent incident of sexual violence. 

2 Involvement by adult protective services did occur following the most recent 

incident of sexual violence. 

9 Unknown if there was involvement by adult protective services following 

the most recent incident of sexual violence. 

80 Sexual Violence Surveillance 
DATE OF MOST RECENT INCIDENT OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE
 4.30 

Description/Definition 

Date of the most recent incident of sexual violence described in 4.01. 

Uses/Type of Surveillance 

This data element can be used in conjunction with data element 2.01 (Birth Date of Victim) 

to calculate the victim's age at the time of the most recent incident of sexual violence. 

Traditional surveillance — minimum 

Survey surveillance — expanded 

Discussion 

If the most recent incident of sexual violence described in 4.01 lasted for more than one day, code 

the date that the incident ended. If the date of the incident is unknown, date of record can be used in 

traditional surveillance. 

Data Type (and Field Length) 

TS — time stamp (26). 

Field Values/Coding Instructions 

Year, month, and day are entered in the format YYYYMMDD. For example, the date May 1, 1996, 

would be coded as “19960501.” See also TS — time stamp in the Technical Notes. 

Data Standards or Guidelines 

E1384-96 (ASTM 1996) and Health Level 7, Version 2.3 (HL7 1996). 

4.3 

Victim’s Most Recent Incident of Sexual Violence 81

TECHNIC

A
 

L 
 NOTE

S
 

TECHNICAL NOTES
 

The following Technical Notes are taken predominantly from Data Elements for Emergency Department 

Systems (DEEDS), Release 1.0 (National Center for Injury Prevention and Control 1997). These notes 

provide technical information about how the data elements in this document conform to the data types 

defined in Health Level 7, Version 2.3 (HL7 1996); 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 2.3. 

Data Types Used 

CE — coded element 

CX — extended composite ID with check digit 

NM — numeric 

TS — time stamp 

XAD — extended address 

N 

O 

T 

E 

S 

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. 

Technical Notes 85
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 “3” (6-10 incidents) for data element 4.03 Number of Incidents of 

Sexual Violence in Past 12 Months is coded: 

3^6-10 incidents 

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 2.3). 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. 

86 Sexual Violence Surveillance 
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 p.m., 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. 

N 

O 

T 

E 

S 

Technical Notes 87
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)> 

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 

88 Sexual Violence Surveillance 
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 impact would not be applicable to male victims). Skip patterns should be used 

as needed to reduce data entry burdens. 

N 

O 

T 

E 

S 

Technical Notes 89

REFERENCE

S
 

REFERENCES 

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about rape and what we do. In: Renzetti C, Edleson J, Bergen RK, editors. Sourcebook 

on Violence Against Women. Thousand Oaks (CA): Sage Publications; 2001. p. 117-42. 

DeKeseredy WS. Enhancing the quality of survey data on woman abuse: Examples from 

a national Canadian study. Violence Against Women 1995;1:158-73. 

Estrich S. Real rape. Cambridge: Harvard University Press; 1987. 

Finkelhor D, Yllo K. License to rape: Sexual abuse of wives. New York: The Free Press; 1985. 

Health Level 7 (HL7). Health Level 7, Version 2.3. Ann Arbor (MI): HL7; 1996. 

Kilpatrick DG, Resnick HS, Saunders BE, Best CL. Rape, other violence against women, 

and posttraumatic stress disorder. In: Dohrenwend BP, editor. Adversity, stress, 

and psychopathology. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998. p. 161-76. 

Koss MP. The underdetection of rape: Methodological choices influence incidence estimates. 

J Soc Issues 1992;48:61-75. 

Koss MP, Gidycz CA, Wisniewski N. The scope of rape: Incidence and prevalence of sexual 

aggression and victimization in a national sample of higher education students. 

J Consult Clin Psychol 1987;55:162-70. 

Kuyken W. The psychological sequelae of childhood sexual abuse: A review of the literature 

and implications for treatment. Clin Psych & Psychotherapy 1995;2:108-21. 

Mahoney P, Williams LM. Sexual assault in marriage: Prevalence, consequences, and 

treatment for wife rape. In: Jasinski J, Williams LM, editors. Partner violence: A 

comprehensive review of 20 years of research. Thousand Oaks (CA): Sage Publications; 

1998. p. 113-63. 

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; 

1997. 

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94 Sexual Violence Surveillance 
APPENDIX
 

Summary of Recommended Data Elements
 

A 

P 

P 

E 

N 

D 

I 

X 

Data Element 

No. Name Description/Definition Data Type 

1.01 Case ID A required, unique identification code 

for each case in the system used by the 

agency or survey compiling sexual violence surveillance data 

CX — extended composite ID with 

check digit 

1.02 Data Source Source from which sexual violence surveillance information is abstracted CE — coded element 

2.01 Birth Date of Victim Date of birth of the victim TS — time stamp 

2.02 Sex of Victim Sex of victim CE — coded element 

2.03 Race of Victim Race of victim CE — coded element 

2.04 Hispanic or Latino 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 of 

origin, regardless of race. The term 

“Spanish origin” can be used in addition 

to “Hispanic or Latino” 

CE — coded element 

2.05 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 sexual violence surveillance system first documented sexual 

violence victimization for this person 

XAD - extended address 

3.01 First Known Type(s) of Sexual 

Violence Ever 

Type(s) of sexual violence involved in the 

victim's first known incidence of sexual 

violence 

CE — coded element 

3.02 Age of Victim at Time of First 

Known Incident of Sexual 

Violence Ever 

Age of victim at time of first known incidence of sexual violence described in 

3.01 

NM – numeric (exact age) 

CE — coded element (age ranges) 

3.03 Circumstances at Time of 

First Known Incident of 

Sexual Violence Ever 

Circumstances associated with the first 

known incidence of sexual violence 

described in 3.01 

CE — coded element 

3.04 Weapons Used During First 

Known Incident of Sexual 

Violence Ever 

Type(s) of weapon(s) other than bodily 

force used in the first known incidence of 

sexual violence described in 3.01 

CE — coded element 

3.05 Multiple Perpetrators Involved 

in First Known Incident of 

Sexual Violence Ever 

Whether one or multiple perpetrators 

were involved in the first known incidence of sexual violence described in 

3.01 

CE — coded element 

3.06 Relationship of Perpetrator(s) 

and Victim at Time of First 

Known Incident of Sexual 

Violence Ever 

The relationship of the victim and 

perpetrator(s) at the time of the first 

known incidence of sexual violence 

described in 3.01 

CE — coded element 

3.07 Cohabitation of Victim and 

Perpetrator(s) at Time of First 

Known Incident of Sexual 

Violence Ever 

The living arrangement of victim and 

perpetrator(s) at the time of the first 

known incidence of sexual violence 

described in 3.01 

CE — coded element 

A 

A 

P 

Appendix 97 
98 

Data Element 

No. Name Description/Definition Data Type

3.08 Number of Incidents in 

Lifetime 

Number of incidents of sexual violence in 

the victim's lifetime 

CE — coded element 

4.01 Most Recent Type(s) of 

Sexual Violence 

Type(s) of sexual violence involved in the 

victim's most recent incident of sexual 

violence 

CE — coded element 

4.02 Age of Victim at Time of 

Most Recent Incident of 

Sexual Violence 

Age of victim at time of most recent incident of sexual violence described in 4.01 NM — numeric (exact age) 

CE — coded element (age ranges) 

4.03 Number of Incidents of 

Sexual Violence in Past 12 

Months 

Number of incidents of sexual violence 

that occurred in the 12 months prior to 

the date of contact with the agency or 

survey providing data to the surveillance 

system 

CE — coded element 

4.04 Circumstances at Time of 

Most Recent Incident of 

Sexual Violence 

Circumstances associated with the 

most recent incident of sexual violence 

described in 4.01 

CE — coded element 

4.05 Weapon Used During Most 

Recent Incident of Sexual 

Violence 

Type(s) of weapon(s) other than bodily 

force used in the most recent incident of 

sexual violence described in 4.01 

CE — coded element 

4.06 City, State, and County of 

Location of Most Recent 

Incident of Sexual Violence 

City, state, and county of location of 

most recent incident of sexual violence 

described in 4.01 

XAD — extended address 

4.07 Multiple Perpetrators Involved 

in Most Recent Incident of 

Sexual Violence 

Whether one or multiple perpetrators 

were involved in the most recent incident 

of sexual violence described in 4.01 

CE — coded element 

4.08 Sex of Perpetrator(s) Involved 

in Most Recent Incident of 

Sexual Violence 

Sex of perpetrator(s) involved in most 

recent incident of sexual violence 

described in 4.01 

CE — coded element 

4.09 Race of Perpetrator(s) 

Involved in Most Recent 

Incident of Sexual Violence 

Race of perpetrator(s) involved in 

most recent incident of sexual violence 

described in 4.01 

CE — coded element 

4.10 Hispanic or Latino Ethnicity 

of Perpetrator(s) Involved 

in Most Recent Incident of 

Sexual Violence 

Ethnicity of perpetrator(s) involved in the 

most recent incident of sexual violence 

described in 4.01. Hispanic or Latino 

ethnicity refers to a person of Mexican, 

Puerto Rican, Cuban, South or Central 

American, or other Spanish culture of 

origin, regardless of race. The term 

“Spanish origin” can be used in addition 

to “Hispanic or Latino” 

CE — coded element 

4.11 Age of Perpetrator(s) at Time 

of Most Recent Incident of 

Sexual Violence 

Age of perpetrator(s) at time of most 

recent incident of sexual violence 

described in 4.01 

NM — numeric (exact age) 

CE — coded element (age ranges) 

98 Sexual Violence Surveillance 
Data Element 

No. Name Description/Definition Data Type 

4.12 Relationship of Perpetrator(s) 

and Victim at Time of Most 

Recent Incident of Sexual 

Violence 

Relationship of perpetrator(s) to the victim 

at the time of the most recent incident of 

sexual violence described in 4.01 

CE — coded element 

4.13 Whether Perpetrator(s) in 

Most Recent Incident Has 

Sexually Victimized Victim in 

the Past 

Whether or not the perpetrator(s) in 

most recent incident of sexual violence 

described in 4.01 has (have) sexually 

victimized victim in the past 

CE — coded element 

4.14 Cohabitation of Victim 

and Perpetrator(s) at Time 

of Most Recent Incident of 

Sexual Violence 

The living arrangement of the victim 

and perpetrator(s) at the time of the 

most recent incident of sexual violence 

described in 4.01 

CE — coded element 

4.15 Location of Most Recent 

Incident of Sexual Violence 

The physical location of the most recent 

incident of sexual violence described in 

4.01 

CE — coded element 

4.16 Human Immunodeficiency 

Virus (HIV) Diagnosed 

Following Most Recent 

Incident of Sexual Violence 

Whether or not Human 

Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) was diagnosed following the most recent incident 

of sexual violence described in 4.01 

CE — coded element 

4.17 Sexually Transmitted Disease 

(excluding HIV) Diagnosed 

Following Most Recent 

Incident of Sexual Violence 

Whether or not a sexually transmitted disease (excluding HIV) was diagnosed following the most recent incident of sexual 

violence described in 4.01 

CE — coded element 

4.18 Pregnancy Impact from Most 

Recent Incident of Sexual 

Violence 

The pregnancy impact to the victim following the most recent incident of sexual 

violence described in 4.01 

CE — coded element 

4.19 Physical Injury to Victim 

During Most Recent Incident 

of Sexual Violence 

The physical injury to the victim during 

the most recent incident of sexual violence 

described in 4.01 

CE — coded element 

4.20 Deaths Related to Most 

Recent Incident of Sexual 

Violence 

All deaths associated with the most recent 

incident of sexual violence described in 

4.01 

CE — coded element 

4.21 Change(s) in Psychological 

Functioning in Victim from 

Most Recent Incident of 

Sexual Violence 

The change(s) in psychological functioning, either aggravated by or caused by 

the most recent incident of sexual violence 

described in 4.01 

CE — coded element 

4.22 Inpatient Medical Care 

Received by Victim Following 

Most Recent Incident of 

Sexual Violence 

The inpatient medical health care 

received by the victim following the 

most recent incident of sexual violence 

described in 4.01 

CE — coded element 

4.23 Outpatient Medical Care 

Received by Victim Following 

Most Recent Incident of 

Sexual Violence 

The outpatient medical health care 

received by the victim following the 

most recent incident of sexual violence 

described in 4.01 

CE — coded element 

A 

A 

P 

Appendix 99 
Data Element 

No. Name Description/Definition Data Type 

4.24 Physical Evidence Collection 

by a Healthcare Provider 

Following Most Recent 

Incident of Sexual Violence 

Physical evidence collection by a healthcare provider completed for the victim 

following most recent incident of sexual 

violence described in 4.01 

CE — coded element 

4.25 Mental Health Care Received 

by Victim Following Most 

Recent Incident of Sexual 

Violence 

The mental health care received by the 

victim following the most recent incident 

of sexual violence described in 4.01 

CE — coded element 

4.26 Law Enforcement Contacted 

Following Most Recent 

Incident of Sexual Violence 

Whether law enforcement was contacted 

at any time following the most recent incident of sexual violence described in 4.01 

CE — coded element 

4.27 Involvement by a Rape 

Crisis Center/Sexual Assault 

Service Provider Following 

Most Recent Incident of 

Sexual Violence 

Whether or not there was involvement 

by a rape crisis center or other sexual 

assault service provider (e.g. child advocacy center) following the most recent 

incident of sexual violence described in 

4.01 

CE — coded element 

4.28 Involvement by Child 

Protective Services Following 

Most Recent Incident of 

Sexual Violence 

Whether or not there was involvement by 

child protective services for the victim following the most recent incident of sexual 

violence described in 4.01 

CE — coded element 

4.29 Involvement by Adult 

Protective Services Following 

Most Recent Incident of 

Sexual Violence 

Whether or not there was involvement by 

adult protective services for the victim following the most recent incident of sexual 

violence described in 4.01 

CE — coded element 

4.30 Date of Most Recent Incident 

of Sexual Violence 

Date of the most recent incident of sexual 

violence described in 4.01 

TS — time stamp 

100 Sexual Violence Surveillance 
US DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

National Center for Injury Prevention and Control 

www.cdc.gov/ncipc 

CS118600