[Role of physicians in violence against women in family]

Health protection of every individual is the main goal of health activity and because of that violence against women in family is important everyday health issue in Croatia. The principles of medical science and the principles of professional ethics oblige us to search the real causes of illness, even if causes are not of biological basis. Physicians and the rest of health workers have duty to have knowledge about signs of violence on women, denounce to competent authorities every case of violence against women in family and give adequate medical treatment and healing. In this review article were used medical, judicial, victimological and sociological literature, because only through co-ordinated and responsible co-operation with social service, administration of justice, police, non-government associations and the rest of professionals involved in victim protection, we can help women to live in healthier family union.