Ulsba's Epva hospital team's first year of activity

Domestic violence (DV) against women still lacks rigor in its identification and denouncement, which makes it an under diagnosed condition. Physical and psychic well-being of women who are victims of DV is threatened hence it is essential to discuss this subject as a health matter. Furthermore, health professionals are usually DV victims’ first contact. In 2009, Margaret Chan from WHO stated that “Preventing violence against women requires a multi-sectoral approach, and in this context the health sector has a central role to play which includes helping to identify abuse early, providing victims with the necessary treatment, and referring women to appropriate and informed care.” Portuguese Health Ministry has created, through the legal dispatch No. 6378/2013 of may 16, an integrated intervention model on interpersonal violence throughout life, entitled Acao de Saude sobre Genero, Violencia e Ciclo de Vida (ASGVCV), made operational by Equipas para a Prevencao da Violencia em Adultos (EPVA) teams.