title: What is violence against women? Defining and measuring the problem: a response to Dean Kilpatrick.
abstract: This article discusses (a) the relationship between the reemergence of the women's movement in the 1970s and the current field of violence against women; (b) the role voluntary associations and social activism play in shaping social institutions, including the institution of academic scholarship; (c) the need to broaden our definition of violence against women to include nonviolent acts, such as stalking and emotional abuse; (d) the need to study the interrelationships among various forms of violence and abuse, including violence and abuse experienced as a minor and violence and abuse experienced as an adult; (e) the importance of using precise language when reporting research findings; (f) the importance of using a multiple definition/measurement approach when conducting research on violence against women; and (g) the need for comprehensive research on violence against women that takes into account the various types of violent and abusive behaviors experienced by women over their lifetimes.
authors.affiliation: Tjaden Research Corporation.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tjaden
mesh_terms: D018585:Battered Women; D005260:Female; D019513:Feminism; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000517:prevention & control; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D014481:United States; D016387:Women's Health; D014933:Women's Rights / Q000592:standards