RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 988 Intimate partner violence and networking: what role for health services? Strategy in Coimbra JF Injury Prevention JO Inj Prev FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP A351 OP A352 DO 10.1136/injuryprev-2016-042156.988 VO 22 IS Suppl 2 A1 João Redondo A1 Anabela Fazendeiro A1 Teresa Bombas A1 Eduardo Castela A1 António Veiga A1 Filipa Pereira A1 Odete Mendes A1 Madalena Alarcão A1 António Monteiro A1 Henrique Armindo A1 Paula Garcia A1 Isabel Morais A1 Emilia Batista A1 Fátima Mota A1 Natália Cardoso A1 Vânia Sarmento A1 Rosário Lemos A1 Sara Rosado A1 Generosa Morais A1 Ana Correia A1 Dulce Carvalho A1 Lurdes Teixeira A1 Ana Dourado A1 Salomé Caldeira A1 António Jorge YR 2016 UL http://injuryprevention.bmj.com/content/22/Suppl_2/A351.3.abstract AB Background Violence by intimate partners (IPV) can be prevented and its impact reduced. This calls for to deal with violence from a public health perspective, according the ecological model, associated to a multidisciplinary and multisectoral networking approach. In Coimbra various sectors are working together from 2000, in tackling the problem of IPV. Health sector is an active and valuable ally in the global response to violence and brings a variety of advantages and assets to this work, from primary to terciary prevention, including programs for victims and perpetrators.Description of the problem IPV is a serious problem that occurs in all countries, among heterosexual or same-sex couples. The consequences are profound, extending beyond the health and happiness of individuals to affect the well-being of entire communities.Results Our strategies are addressed to prevention (al all levels). We deal with violence taking steps to understand the range of factors that put people at risk for violence and protect them from experiencing or perpetrating violence. Our fundamental goal is to stop IPV before it begins. Networks “Violence´s Group: Information, Research, Intervention” (2002), “School Against Violence” (2007), along with the training of 480 professionals (health, other sectors) in our region (2009–2012), in the area of prevention of IPV, are examples of our networking strategy. The Family Violence Unit, UVF (2004) - CHUC, integrates both networks; of the 1400 cases (2/3 women, 1/3 men) at UVF, we did not record any murder to date. Our strategy is recognised at regional and national levels.Conclusions We believe that prevent efforts associated to investigation and a networking strategy (from micro to macrosystem, throughout the life cycle), at individual, family, community, and political levels, are one of the keys to prevent IPV.