Abstract

Early 2000, a violence prevention programme took place in Lausanne. The programme proposed 44 measures addressing: monitoring, networking, education of police, health and social professionals, changes in law, primary prevention, early detection, improvement of care to victims, etc. 10 years later a research assessed the degree of achievement of each measure and its process; needs and priorities of grassroots level professionals and state of the network.

A literature review, a study of genuine documents, 20 interviews of stakeholders and an electronic questionnaire to 95 professionals has been completed from 2009 to early 2010.

For a total of 44 measures, 48% were completely put into practice; 27% partially and 16% not at all. For 9% information was not available. 89% of measures were still relevant and 11% were no more. The electronic enquiry (59% response rate), revealed that children exposed to partner violence and awareness raising of the youth were the two priority fields of action, whereas the principal needs evoked were network improvement/information and improvement of means of support. No changes were observed in network collaboration patterns.

Globally the programme was successful and the measures proposed in 2000 relevant. Early interdisciplinary working groups, institutional commitment, WHO 2002 report, personal involvement of opinion leaders were identified as supporting factors. While resistant factors were lack of institutional support and financial resources, uncertainty about medical responsibility, poor academic interest. However, the most important success factor was the early integration of professionals of the field in the direction of the programme.