Description
The lack of systemic and binding procedures for recognition and treating domestic violence victims within healthcare services is manifested in Slovenia alongside inconsistent reporting on such violence by health workers and weak inter-sectoral cooperation. The main objective of the project is the implementation of the Family Violence Prevention Act in the health sector in order to increase the competence of health workers to recognise domestic violence. The project will also establish inter-sectoral treatment of victims and perpetrators of domestic violence comparable to international practice in this area. In this respect, an educational platform will be established with several tools available to ensure improved recognition and treatment of domestic violence victims in healthcare settings. Educational trainings for 1600-2000 health workers in the area of family medicine, paediatrics, gynaecology, psychiatry, home care nursing, urgent (trauma) units, hospital units and counselling services from all Slovenian regions will be carried out in order to encourage inter-sectoral cooperation and good practices of responding to domestic violence. The rich experiences of the Norwegian partner enable it to contribute to the implementation of the trainings for healthcare workers in Slovenia.
Summary of project results
The lack of systemic and binding procedures for recognition and treatment of domestic violence victims within healthcare sector in Slovenia was evident also from inconsistent reporting of violence by health workers and their weak inter-sectoral cooperation. The main objectives of the project addressed an increased knowledge and raised awareness for proper responding to domestic violence by health workers. The results were achieved in full extent by following impact: improved competencies in response to domestic violence and better inter-sectoral cooperation. To achive planned results we produced: - A multidisciplinary educational platform consisting of several tools website, manual, educational material, training modules and QR codes; - 100 professional and research contributions (articles, conference presentations, public media); - 1.5 million leaflets intended for visitors of health care institutions; The main outcome was over 2.000 health workers who accomplished two days educational trainings. In addition, over 22.400 visitors was recorded (between 1.5. 2015 and 30.6. 2016) at the project website, over 328 participants attended at opening and final project conferences, 57 announcements and 12 newsletters associated with project activities were lunched trough the project's mailing list and mailing list from the Medical Chamber of Slovenia (5.000 physicians). Social workers and police did observed in past months better responsiveness and cooperation with health sector in the context of domestic violence.
Summary of bilateral results
The Brøset Centre for research and education in forensic psychiatry they contributed their knowledge in designing educational platform for health workers in Slovenia. They helped resolving the questions fundamentally related to preparing manual and training materials for health workers that come across cases of domestic violence in Slovenia (in form of chapters in the manual, educational materials for the website and courses, scientific and professional articles, and presentations at conferences). Bilateral funds contributed to strengthening bilateral relations at the project level through exchange of knowledge and experiences as well through collaboration within certain project activities. The Norwegian partners also attended at the final project conference in Ljubljana and presented a new approach in assessing and managing the risk for intimate partner violence. Bilateral partnership strengthened the project results also due to dissemination activities by introducing the project and results on websites in Slovenia and Norway and with joint presentation at the conference (9th Conference European Violence in Psychiatry Research, Copenhagen).