Definition of violence against women: A comparative study in Chinese societies of Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the People's Republic of China

Abstract

This study aimed to explore how Chinese residing in different Chinese societies defined violence against women (VAW). A total of 3,540 Chinese human service professionals residing in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the People's Republic of China participated in the study. In general, Chinese perception of VAW was best predicted by their gender, educational attainment, attitudes toward women, and the types of criteria that they used to determine VAW. Results also showed that there were regional differences in the perception of whether the depicted behaviors would constitute VAW, criteria in determining behaviors as VAW, and attitudes toward women. Compared to agency professionals, communion professionals had a broader definition of VAW and were more likely to rate the infliction of psychological harm and violation of women's rights as important determining criteria for VAW. Results and limitations of the study were discussed.