Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) funding: a nationwide assessment of effects on rape and assault.

Although evaluations of process and implementation suggest that the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) funding program has resulted in positive outcomes, no study has evaluated its impact on violent crime. This study examines panel data from 1996 to 2002 (10,371 jurisdictions) throughout the United States. Findings indicate that VAWA grants were associated with reductions in rape and assault. These relationships persisted after controlling for general downward crime trends and effects of other justice grants. The results provide support for continued existence of this funding stream and for additional evaluation to determine exactly which programs funded are effective in reducing crime.