Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe - Volume 22, issue 3-4

Article Type: Introduction

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-2005-223-401

Citation: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 22, no. 3-4, pp. 189-191, 2005

Authors: Walby, Sylvia

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The development of indicators and methods of collecting quantitative data on violence against women is central to both robust evaluation of policy developments and to the development of explanations. Three issues are addressed here: first, dilemmas in developing indicators based on consistent definitions; second, developments and remaining challenges in survey methodology; third, developments and gaps in collecting data from routine administrative sources. Indicators of violence against women need to capture the extent, as measured by both the rate of prevalence and the number of incidents, to measure severity by including injury levels, and to distinguish between acts carried out by …intimate partners, other family or household members, and others. In the development of survey methodology, priorities are a comprehensive sampling frame and a high response rate, so as to include the more marginal groups of women who are especially likely to be at risk. In the delivery of the questionnaire, the methodological priority is that of confidentiality from both other household members and the interviewer in order to facilitate disclosure. Some public services collect some information that pertains to domestic violence, but this is rarely in a form relevant to policy. Relatively small additions to the data that is already collected would make it considerably more useful. However, such data does not give a guide to the actual level of violence against women, since many survivors do not report to authorities or use public services. Only survey data can provide a reliable guide to the extent of gender-based violence. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-2005-223-402

Citation: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 22, no. 3-4, pp. 193-216, 2005

Authors: Tjaden, Patricia

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This article examines the history of the violence against women movement from its inception in the 1970s to the present. It discusses paradigmatic shifts that have occurred in the way violence against women is viewed, from a criminal justice perspective, to a public health perspective, and most recently to a human rights perspective. It also critiques violence against women surveillance systems in the United States. The author recommends that violence against women be defined as broadly as possible and incorporate a human rights perspective. She also recommends that, whenever possible, researchers collect data on violence experienced by women over their …life span. In addition, the author recommends that researchers incorporate a multiple definition/multiple design approach in collecting data on violence against women. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-2005-223-403

Citation: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 22, no. 3-4, pp. 217-224, 2005

Authors: Johnson, Holly

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Sound statistical data is critical for the development of appropriate policies, legislation and services for women affected by violence. Significant progress has been made in Canada over the past fifteen years in the breadth and scope of surveys designed to assess the extent of violence against women and societal responses to it. Statistics Canada, the national statistical agency, has played a lead role in implementing prevalence surveys, police- and courts-based surveys, and surveys of shelters and other services for victims. Prevalence surveys are critical sources of information about the nature and extent of physical and sexual violence against women in …the population; however, in conducting these surveys researchers must take account of complex methodological and ethical issues relating to emotional trauma, respondent safety, definitions of violence, and reducing response bias. Other sources of data, such as police, shelters and other services for abused women are important for describing how agencies respond to women who come to them for help. This paper argues that national statistical agencies have a leadership role to play in the design and implementation of surveys on violence against women to ensure that standards of scientific rigour are met and the work is done in an ethical manner. Show more

Keywords: Violence against women statistics, intimate partner violence, sexual assault

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-2005-223-404

Citation: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 22, no. 3-4, pp. 225-238, 2005

Authors: Posselt, Horst

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This paper describes the key sources of data for measuring violence against women in Australia and how the results relate to one another. It describes the differences in collection methodologies used in different surveys (including short module approaches and full specialised surveys) and considers some of the implications in relation to results. The paper draws on recent work to bring together and confront data from a range of survey and administrative sources around the issue of violence against women and personal safety more generally. There are a number of known issues in comparing data on assault from different collections in …Australia, and some work is underway to determine appropriate approaches for future collections. It should be noted that this paper has been revised since it was presented at the Work Session on Gender Statistics held in Geneva on 18–20 October 2004. Since that time, data from the Australian components of both the 2002–2003 International Violence Against Women Survey, and the 2004 International Crime Victims Survey have been released. Relevant information from these two surveys has as a consequence also been included here. Updated information on the status of ABS activities in producing data related to violence against women is also provided in this revised version. Show more

Keywords: Violence against women, women, assault, sexual assault, prevalence rates, crime statistics, Australia

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-2005-223-405

Citation: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 22, no. 3-4, pp. 239-253, 2005

Authors: Piispa, Minna | Heiskanen, Markku

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: One of the first Violence against Women Surveys in Europe was conducted in Finland in 1997 by Statistics Finland. The survey was financed by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the Council for Equality. This paper discusses the methodological choices done in the survey. The survey mode used was a mail survey, which has been found to work in the Nordic Countries. In the article the benefits and limitations of the method are discussed. Of utmost importance is the question how to define different forms of violence experienced by women. The definition of violence determinates how well the …survey identifies the different and specific characteristics of violence. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-2005-223-406

Citation: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 22, no. 3-4, pp. 255-263, 2005

Authors: Muratore, Maria Giuseppina | Sabbadini, Linda Laura

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The National Survey on violence against women originates from the need to disclose the problem on violence against women in Italy in terms of its prevalence, incidence, rate and nature. This is an important topic that still needs further investigation. Women rarely disclose what has happened to them and even more rarely report to the police or seek help in the crisis centres or from other social services. It is important to study domestic violence by using dedicated surveys that take into consideration all relevant aspects with regard to the variables measured, way of posing questions, funnelling effects, …use of specific terms. Surveys on violence against women are designed in such a way that helps to put the woman at ease so that she can build confidence with the interviewer. Interviewers are trained to deal with these cases and to identify them, as it is quite common that women victims of domestic violence are not always aware of what happens to them, especially in cases of more subtle forms of violence such as psychological and economic violence. The paper describes the different phases for the implementation of the Italian Violence against Women Survey, focusing special attention on the qualitative relevance of the data collected. Show more

Keywords: Violence, domestic violence, methodology, questionnaire design

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-2005-223-407

Citation: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 22, no. 3-4, pp. 265-278, 2005

Authors: Meil, Gerardo

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This article explores the social and political background of the emergence of major national surveys on the domestic violence against women and presents the main characteristics and results of the two most important surveys done in 1999 and 2002. The analysis of risk factors associated with partner violence shows that both the questioning of the traditional bourgeois family model and the empowerment of women does not by itself translate into lower levels of partner violence.

Keywords: Domestic violence, family change, women's empowerment

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-2005-223-408

Citation: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 22, no. 3-4, pp. 279-287, 2005

Authors: Fougeyrollas-Schwebel, Dominique

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The Enveff survey, commissioned by the Service des Droits de femmes in 1997, and which was undertaken by the French State Secretary of Women's Rights, is the first national survey to be carried out on this subject in France. The primary aim of the Enveff survey was to gauge the frequency of the different types of interpersonal violence directed against adult women in the different areas of their lives (couple, family, work, public places). All kinds of violence – verbal, psychological, physical and sexual – were taken into account, regardless of the perpetrator. Whatever the type of …violence reported, in the three domains (public space, work, home), the youngest women – between 20 and 24 years old – claimed to have suffered more violence than their elders. It is behind the closed doors of a couple's relationship that most physical violence is perpetrated. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-2005-223-409

Citation: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 22, no. 3-4, pp. 289-300, 2005

Authors: Hagemann-White, Carol

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Against a background of three decades of activism and policy in Germany, the first national representative survey of the prevalence of violence against women was completed in 2004. Placed in the context of a National Action plan, this was the first such study explicitly designed for European comparability. It was aimed at improving policy and harmonizing numerous activities towards overcoming violence against women, taking a comprehensive and gender-based view of the problem. The findings point to important patterns related to the risk of violence and its impact; they also confirm that improved methodology on the one hand, awareness-raising on the …other increase reporting. While reporting levels as such are not a useful measure for the success of policies, there is a need for more in-depth and comparative analysis to identify strategic points of intervention and ways of moving policy forward. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-2005-223-410

Citation: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 22, no. 3-4, pp. 301-309, 2005