This article reviews considerations to be made when assessing maltreatment in children of battered women and offers guidelines to improve research and practice in the field. Methodological problems regarding the measurement of child maltreatment experiences are discussed. Next, techniques appropriate for assessing maltreatment of children of battered women are reviewed, including parent questionnaires and interviews, children's reports, case record reviews, and observations. In addition, ethical concerns are addressed, particularly regarding the consequences to battered women when investigators are required to breach confidentiality and report suspected maltreatment to child protection authorities. Practical suggestions are offered regarding how these problems might be resolved.
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