Extended Abstract
1. Introduction
Domestic violence is recognized as a common and major threat to the health of victims, who in addition to physical problems, can suffer from other aspects of the health [1]. The elimination or limitation of violence requires numerous interventions that are monitored and supported by individuals, communities on the macro and micro policies and culture of the country. In particular, there is an urgent need for the preventive and management chain of violence to engage effectively and simultaneously in all organizations of stakeholders [10]. In Iran, due to the lack of support and system chains, women rarely report domestic violence to judicial systems, and in some cases, the judicial system does not pay close attention to such issues [30]. Deterring spouse and child abuse requires comprehensive and extensive preventive interventions in primary health care in the country, support organizations, NGOs, social security, welfare, judiciary, police, emergency services, community-based organizations, an all-out cooperation and support are required [1, 24]. Since there has been no comprehensive and effective support/protection in the implementation of domestic violence prevention program by the Ministry of Health, this study is conducted in one district of Tehran urban area.
2. Method
This study is a quantitative, qualitative and an experimental study on the implementation of support system in the context to the applied research and the health services system. The study population consisted of some residents from district 9 and the sample included the West Health Center in the West Tehran, the Center for Intervention in the Welfare Organization Crisis, the Social Cultural Part of the Municipality, the Family Court, the Police Station (Police Force), the Association for the Defense of Victims of Violence, the Emergency Center of the country, and most of the units of the West Tehran Health Center. In this catchment area, all married women who were victims of violence as well as supporting services were selected and covered by the advocacy interventions.
The instrument was a questionnaire for monitoring and evaluation, interview, observation, distribution written documents and staff reports. In implementation of this study, the spouse abuse prevention program at Tehran’s West Health Center and its covered population were on pilot study on advocacy and supporting program. The prime stages of the study included: invitation to other agencies Scientific and Work Committee, working with them with an official agreement, education of the risk groups, distribution of educational pamphlets and brochures, screening cases, registration of cases, monthly and annual reports and preparing other help or services like crisis intervention. All data gathered and interventions were approved by the ethical research committee of the University.
3. Results
The quantitative findings from the evaluation of the program showed most satisfactory service delivery in the field of encounter and communication (64%), while quality of presenting services (34%) and quality of support and management (32%) had the lowest rate. Other finding showed few internal and external collaboration, little co-operation for the supporting cases and few domestic violence registrations and reports. Qualitative data showed in many centers that staff was interested and motivated to help the victims and the program and a positive attitude towards the acquisition of the program among managers and professionals. However, the loneliness of the victims, the lack of medical and psychosocial support, the absence of supportive laws, the lack of high-level jurisdiction in the courts, the rules of the judiciary and law enforcement and the vacancy of NGOs and scientific associations are reported in the studied district. There was also lack of lawyers, especially free of charge lawyers who defend the victims, ignoring the opinions of the attorney, witnesses, family and more importantly not interfering with the social workers’ point of view, which was widely seen in the project.
4. Discussion
This study showed that, during the outbreak, implications and new dimensions of domestic violence are reported every day not only in Iran but the world, despite the various efforts that have been made in the past decade to identify and prevent domestic violence in the country, there is no investment and support by individuals, organizations, institutions, planners and managers of the country to find a resolution. The Ministry of Health has succeeded in developing the National Program on Safety and Domestic Violence Prevention and pursuing its gradual implementation in the country which needs a comprehensive and extensive support. This advocacy pilot study showed that the victims of domestic violence, health workers, managers, welfare manpower, emergency services, municipalities, the judiciary and police, while having an interest to participate in the project and support the victims of violence, systematically they do not have a proper co-operation. It is necessary that a national movement, at a macro level should be linked to a supportive program, provided by the national deed.
Ethical Considerations
Compliance with ethical guideline
According to the ethics committee of Iran University of Medical Sciences, interviews with individuals could be made if they were satisfied. Participants could withdraw from the research if they did not want it. The cases in which the participants name  was registered for referral or training was classified as confidential.
Funding
This study was funded and ordered by the Office of Mental Health and Addiction in Ministry of Health with the support of Iran University of Medical Sciences and Faculty of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health (Tehran Institute of Psychiatry). 
Conflict of interest
The authors declared no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgements
Extensive scientific collaboration of Dr. Mana Tabatabai Rad and Mrs. Maryam Zamani has contributed to the success of this project, which is appreciated.
 

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