Objective To identify and analyse the reports of interpersonal violence on residents of Recife identified in the public health services, from August 2006 to March 2008.

Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study. Used the surveillance system of domestic violence and sexual violence and other violences – VIVA. The variables analysed were gender, age, race, violence typology, place of occurrence and victim/aggressor relationship and presented in graphs and tables.

Results Reported 822 cases in 23 health services in Recife. Physical violence appeared in 253 notifications, 234 psychological, neglect/abandonment in 229 to 165 sexual, noting that one type of violence does not preclude the other, a case can be notified with more than one type of violence. Of the cases 90% were violence against children and adolescents – C/A. The female preponderance of 58, 3 cases with male and 40.8%. The race/colour brown prevailed with 34.2% followed by white and black with 13%. It is observed that 38.0% of the notifications do not have this information. Mothers appear as the main aggressor in violence against C/A, followed by friends, acquaintances, stepfathers, unknown and spouse. Children under 10 years were mostly victims of neglect/abandonment, aged 10–17 years of violence prevalent psychological. The health district VI had the highest number of cases.

Conclusions The study revealed underreporting cases, only 19 reporting units, most violence against C/A, these data can support public policies for prevention and victim support.