A Cost-Benefit Analysis of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994

Abstract

In response to public concern about violence against women in the United States, Congress passed the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (VAWA-I), which provided $1.6 billion for programs over 5 years. The purpose of this research is to estimate the net benefit, using a societal perspective, of VAWA-I in reducing violent criminal victimization of women. Costs included direct property losses, medical and mental health care, police response, victim services, lost productivity, reduced quality of life, and death. Benefits were calculated as averted costs. This analysis found that VAWA-I saved $14.8 billion in net averted social costs, suggesting that VAWA-I is an affordable and beneficial social program.