Building a solid foundation for sexual violence research: applying lessons learned to inform research priorities

The extant research on sexual violence has developed into a substantial body of knowledge, in large part supported by federal funds from agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), and National Institutes of Health (NIH) components. Overall, NIJ has dedicated over US$20 million in research funds to study sexual violence resulting in more than 60 studies and multiple topic-specific research-to-practice meetings. From an initial study on the criminal justice response to rape in 1973 to present-day initiatives on multidisciplinary responses, forensic sciences, and methodological queries, NIJ has made a significant contribution to current knowledge in the field of sexual violence. A strength of the program is its use of an interdisciplinary approach, encompassing the perspectives of those within the field of research and practice to guide the development of its research program. This article details the history and development of NIJ's program of research, highlighting key studies and their contribution to the field, and provides a framework for the continued study of sexual violence.