Founded in 1996 by the former Special Counsel to the Office on Violence Against Women at the Justice Department, and his wife, CAVNET has become the go-to resource for those seeking to collaborate with others to address violence against women and crime victims with disabilities.

Joining CAVNET is easy, and fast, if you qualify. And it costs only pennies a day ($1 a week). Our members are experts in violence against women, child abuse, human rights, violence against people with disabilities, and many other areas set forth in our issues directory.

Members include experts, researchers,and practitioners from all over the world, collaborating across a wide range of disciplines. Members include researchers, shelter staff, rape crisis workers, prosecutors, coalitions, national organizations, child abuse experts, elder abuse experts, experts in violence against women, experts in violence against people with disabilities, clergy, members of law enforcement, and many others.

We are always looking for new members, to enhance our ability to share information and resources, and to identify cutting edge information and share it.

Bonnie Campbell, former Director of the Office On Violence Against Women at the Justice Department:

"CAVNET has shown itself to be the premier online database concerning violence against women.... Not only does CAVNET provide timely and substantive research online, it does so in a way that saves time and resources. The busier you are, the more valuable it is. Founded and operated by Marc Dubin, my former Special Counsel, CAVNET is like having a research team of experts, available night and day... As former Director of the Office on Violence Against Women at the Justice Department, I'm proud to be on CAVNET's Board of Directors, and grateful for the resource...."

In addition to participation in the international, invitation-only/application-only listserv, membership also gains you enhanced access to our comprehensive online database, built and used by experts. In addition, CAVNET also operates the only national listserv addressing interpersonal violence against indigenous women (CAVNET-IW), co-moderated by Native American lawyer Sarah Deer, an expert in violence against indigenous women.

Apply online, and join us in this important effort to address violence against women.

Nancy E. O'Malley, Chief Assistant District Attorney, Alameda County District Attorney's Office Oakland, California:

"Through the incredible level of networking, including the support and participation of people from around the country, CAVNET has become the premier listserv on violence against women issues. Through CAVNET, expeditious legal research is extensive and broad based. Important social and political dialogue is fostered, which allows us to continue to examine what we as a country, we in the different states and local communities are doing to respond to violence against women. These social and political conversations have empowered those of us working in this field, as well as those experiencing violence as part of their lives, to implement effective change with the hope and belief that some day, we will bring an end violence against women. Without CAVNET, these national conversations simply would not occur. CAVNET has brought together such a powerful, broad and eclectic group who, by a touch of the keyboard, can be current with the issues and have a national voice. It is those individuals participating in CAVNET who can and will create a world free of violence against women."

Robert J. Martin, Vice President & Managing Principal, MOSAIC Threat Assessment Systems, Gavin de Becker & Associates:

"In addition to the volumes of material available and the networking, CAVNET also provides access to many of the world's leading experts who offer their advice and counsel FOR FREE. There are many consultants, advisors, psychologists, psychiatrists, etc., on this list who charge hundreds of dollars an hour for the same advice you can get via CAVNET..."

To apply to join, just fill out the online application.

We look forward to reviewing your application.

"Timely and accurate information is crucial to violence prevention, and in our effort to educate about the relatively invisible topic of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) domestic violence, there is no better online database than that found on CAVNET. We rely on CAVNET to bring us valuable information and to disseminate our work to experts, advocates, and the public in a way no one else can. We are proud to be part of CAVNET's international network of content providers and participants, and recommend it without hesitation." Susan Holt, Program Manager STOP Partner Abuse/Domestic Violence Program L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center

"CAVNET is an incredible resource. Thank you so much for putting this together! We have been looking for information on training for law enforcement officers on domestic violence within same-sex relationships, and I found far more on your site in just a few minutes than I have found in quite a few weeks of blindly searching on the web."  Catherine M. Wilson Director, Victim/Witness Division St. Joseph County Prosecutor's Office, South Bend, Indiana

"CAVNET gives me a wide variety of viewpoints from activist to academic to government as well as a rich treasure trove of ideas for enhancing or creating projects to reduce violence against women....The single most useful reference point for domestic violence and sexual assault.... I deeply appreciate the vision and commitment that underlie its creation." -- Nancy M. Ryan, Executive Director Cambridge Women's Commission.

"Grass roots advocacy is at the heart of what we do at the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. We recognize the value of educating the public and policy makers about this epidemic. CAVNET has been a resource like no other - an extraordinary online database of information on violence against women and an online network of experts and advocates from around the world, collaborating across disciplines. ... I am pleased to be on CAVNET's Board of Directors and urge everyone to take advantage of this amazing resource." Rita Smith, Executive Director, National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV)

Apply to join today. You will have access to an international network of experts and advocates addressing violence against women and crime victims with disabilities, be able to add content to the online database, subject to approval, and access nonpublic areas of the online database.

Let me give you an example of how CAVNET has personally helped me. I was being stalked by an individual who later was caught, incarcerated, and ended up taking his own life. I live alone and felt that I was cut off from help. I posted to the CAVNET listserv, and the information, resources, recommendations of books to read, personal experience, and legal advice was overwhelming. I had replies from counselors, police, authors, doctors, and many others. Most invaluable, I had advice from other survivors. I had the very tools I needed to accomplish what had to be done. I was able to follow the correct path in getting a restraining order, taking steps to keep myself safe, and doing things to prevent it from happening again. My fears were shared with others, and validated. I was also able to see that even though I had been left deaf and had a traumatic brain injury from past victimization, I am still able to become empowered to do what many others can.

I am so grateful that I can have these invaluable tools through the Internet. This is about the only way that they will be available to me. The disability community in New Mexico applauds you for CAVNET. I am extremely grateful for the help in my own situation. Another life saved and ready to help another do the same.

– Survivor

Sheila Dauer, Director Women's Human Rights Program Amnesty International USA

Ms. Foundation For Women:

"CAVNET was created in 1997 with no financial resources, but a clear determination to develop and share anti-violence resources among experts, advocates, advocacy organizations, and survivors. CAVNET...allows experts and advocates to debate issues related to violence...., providing subscribers with a way to collaboratively address violence against women and children. Through its work, CAVNET positions groups nationally and globally to receive information and respond instantaneously."