VAWnet: Applied Research Papers

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.

Each of the 10-12 page papers listed in the tabs below are designed to be used for a variety of purposes: training and education, influencing public policy, systems advocacy, staff and professional development, grant writing, and program development.

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January 2013

The Evaluation of Campus-Based Gender Violence Prevention Programming: What We Know about Program Effectiveness and Implications for Practitioners

This Applied Research paper reviews available evidence on the effectiveness of gender violence prevention programs on college campuses, explores various models of campus-based prevention programming, and discusses the implications of emerging themes from the literature for practice.

Authors: Roberta E. Gibbons in consultation with Julie Evans

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October 2011

Changing Perceptions of Sexual Violence Over Time

The author reviews available research on perceptions held by the general public about sexual violence and how they have changed over time. She also makes recommendations for future practice, which include discussing the root causes of sexual violence and addressing subtle victim blaming.

Authors: Sarah McMahon in consultation with Karen Baker

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September 2009

Understanding National Rape Statistics

This Applied Research paper provides an overview of how estimates of sexual violence in the United States are produced, with particular emphasis on major sources of rape statistics at the national level.

Authors: Dean Kilpatrick and Jenna McCauley With contributions from Grace Mattern

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January 2009

Rape Prevention and Risk Reduction: Review of the Research Literature for Practitioners

This Applied Research paper examines both single- and mixed-gender rape prevention and risk reduction programs, and provides suggestions for practitioners to design, implement, and evaluate programs.

Authors: Kimberly A. Lonsway, Victoria L. Banyard, Alan D. Berkowitz, Christine A. Gidycz, Jackson T. Katz, Mary P. Koss, Paul A. Schewe, and Sarah E. Ullman With contributions from Dorothy Edwards

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December 2007

Screening for Sexual Violence: Gaps in Research and Recommendations for Change

This Applied Research paper provides a review of the current literature on screening women for sexual violence in health care facilities, and discusses the reasoning and rationale behind screening women for sexual violence.

Authors: Lynne Stevens With contributions from Barbara Sheaffer

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November 2004

The Effectiveness of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Programs

This paper describes SANE programs in the US, and presents current research on their effectiveness in 3 areas: providing care in an empowering setting, improving the quality of forensic evidence collection, and increasing prosecution rates.

Authors: Rebecca Campbell With contributions from Renae Diegel

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March 2002

Evaluating Violence Against Women Research Reports

This document is a helpful guideline for the use and evaluation of research reports. It is intended to help advocates become more skilled and confident about reading and understanding research reports.

Authors: Sandra K. Beeman With contributions from Carol Arthur

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Revised November 2001

Spouse Assault Replication Program: Studies of Effects of Arrest on Domestic Violence

Reviews NIJ studies on arrest policies for misdemeanor domestic assault, an attempt to replicate the Minneapolis Domestic Violence Experiment (1984), which found that arrest was almost twice as effective as other police actions in preventing re-arrest.

Authors: Arlene Weisz

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August 2001

Controversies and Recent Studies of Batterer Intervention Program Effectiveness

This document examines the effectiveness of batterer intervention programs in holding batterers accountable, increasing victim safety, and changing behavior and attitudes. The authors address the inherent complications in evaluating these outcomes.

Authors: Larry Bennett and Oliver Williams

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2001

Evaluating the Outcomes of Domestic Violence Service Providers: Some Practical Considerations and Strategies

This document provides an overview of how to conceptualize and carry out program evaluation in domestic violence organizations. The authors include a discussion of how to design appropriate outcomes and collect data.

Authors: Cris Sullivan and Carole Alexy

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