About VAWnet
VAWnet is a comprehensive and easily accessible online collection of full-text, searchable materials and resources on domestic violence, sexual violence and related issues.
The goal of VAWnet, The National Online Resource Center on Violence Against Women is to use electronic communication technology to enhance efforts to prevent violence against women and intervene more effectively when it occurs.
VAWnet supports local, state, and national prevention and intervention strategies that enhance safety and well-being and address the self-identified needs and concerns of victims and survivors. Special areas of emphasis include:
- exploring new approaches in communities not well served by current services and strategies;
- examining the intersections of sexual and domestic violence, racism, and homophobia; and
- identifying the impacts of citizenship status, poverty, and mental and/or physical disability in the lives of victims and survivors.
VAWnet is a project of the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV) and is supported by Cooperative Agreement with the National Center on Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
History
VAWnet was created in 1995 by the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence with an initial focus on intimate partner violence and supporting the intervention and prevention efforts of a key group of constituents – state domestic violence coalitions. Since that time, VAWnet’s scope has broadened to encompass sexual assault and other forms of violence particularly impacting women. VAWnet’s constituent base has also expanded, and now includes: community-based domestic and sexual violence programs; state, tribal, and territorial domestic and sexual violence coalitions; national advocacy organizations; federal, state, tribal, and local government agencies; professional associations; educators; faith-based groups; and community organizations working to end violence against women.
Applied Research Project
VAWnet’s Applied Research Project brings together domestic and sexual violence researchers and practitioners who support the production of high-quality, peer reviewed Applied Research papers designed to synthesize and interpret current research on violence against women, offering a review of the literature and implications for practice.
- Applied Research Document Development & Review Process
- The Domestic Violence Applied Research Advisory Group
- The Sexual Violence Applied Research Advisory Group
Partners
VAWnet partnerships represent successful collaborations between the fields of domestic and sexual violence and are integral to the identification of online content, development of new resources, and dissemination. Our two key partners -- National Sexual Violence Resource Center and Minnesota Center Against Violence and Abuse, University of Minnesota -- engage a diverse group of researchers and practitioners to guide the development of Applied Research papers and related resources.
VAWnet staff and consultants also participate in the Violence Prevention Resource Collaborative, the network of CDC-funded national resource centers working to promote the prevention of domestic and sexual violence:
- National Sexual Violence Resource Center
- Prevent Connect: The Violence Against Women Prevention Partnership
- VAWnet, The National Online Resource Center on Violence Against Women
Staff
Anne Menard, NRCDV Director
Casey Keene, VAWnet Manager
John Schein, IT Manager
