To make conditions more conducive to exercising equality rights . Recipe n.56 Violence against women - The role of the health care system. Further training programme for the medical professions in the Lower Austrian health care system WHAT In cooperation with the Lower Austrian Province Academy, women's counselling services, women's shelters and the Intervention Centre Against Violence in the Family, the Department of Women's Issues of the Lower Austrian Province Government has organised a further training programme for hospital staff in the field of "Violence against women and children".. As international studies have shown, one in five to ten women have experience of some form of violence, and approximately 75% of abused women seek medical help at some point. As a result, in many cases the doctors and health care personnel employed in the hospitals which are open to the public around the clock are the first professionals contacted by women who have experienced violence. HOW MUCH The seminar trainers - members of the above-mentioned facilities for women - are trained at the Lower Austrian Province Academy. The hospitals interested in these seminars provide adequate rooms as seminar venues and pay a percentage of the fee costs. The costs for the training of seminar trainers and the fee costs are paid by the Department of Women's Issues and the Lower Austrian Province Academy. HOW Step 1 - "Train the trainers": the members of the above-mentioned facilities for women, who are experienced in practical counselling and in holding seminars, receive further training by an expert in the field of recognising violence and aiding women who have experienced violence. Step 2: training of doctors and health care staff employed in inpatient and outpatient facilities of surgery/accident surgery, who in many cases are the first contact persons for the violence victims, which gives them a key position in recognising violence as well as helping the women concerned and preventing further incidents of violence. The seminars have a duration of two days and are held regionally. PROCEDURE After finishing their further training programmes, the seminar trainers directly contacted the competent authorities in the hospitals. As a preparatory measure, the Health Department of the Lower Austrian Province Government was informed and involved in the programme. The health care directors and doctoral management were contacted for information and matters concerning the exemption from normal duties of the hospital staff participating in the seminar. RESULTS The comprehensive training programme for all Lower Austrian hospitals may become a model on a national scale. The team of doctors and health care personnel are trained in the professional assistance to women who have suffered violence. For the fight against violence to be effective, the cooperation of all the actors and supporters in this field is a basic prerequisite. Contact: Frauenreferat des Amtes der NÖ Landesregierung (Department of Women's Issues of the Lower Austrian Province Government), A-3109 St.Poelten, Landhausplatz 1, Tel..+ 43 (0)2742 9005, ext. 13309 Web Site: www.noel.gv.at