The report first examines a range of definitions that have been used in studies of family violence. Two common research designs are identified in family violence research: studies of cases reported to the police or to helping agencies, as well as self-report studies. Self-report studies produce higher rates of reported violence. The report also comments on other aspects of methodology used in family violence studies, and it presents a range of findings about the prevalence of family violence reported in the literature. The report examines the literature on various types of victims of family violence, including women, children, adolescents, and men. It concludes with some suggestions for how a study of the incidence of family violence in New Zealand might be conducted. The author suggests focusing on the two forms of violence that are most prevalent and of most concern: child abuse, including sexual abuse, and the abuse of adult women. Such a study should include all victimization, not only that perpetrated by family members. The relationship between perpetrator and victim should be recorded to allow comparisons between intra-familial and extra-familial violence. The suggested population for such a study is all New Zealanders aged 18 to 50. Information should address both life-time prevalence and 1-year incidence of various forms of violence. Finally, the report canvasses some ethical issues raised by such a study. 72 references