[Health service's responsibility for sexually abused victims]

The abuse of women is a global problem, a women's health problem, and an egalitarian issue. In Sweden alone, 15,000 cases of the abuse of women, where victim and perpetrator were acquainted, were reported in 1994. In 1995, the National Women's Centre was inaugurated at the University Hospital, Uppsala, for the care of woman exposed to assault, abuse and sexual violence. Both care, research and training of personnel are carried out at the centre. Every abused woman coming to the hospital is now taken care of by specially trained personnel. The centre works in close cooperation with the police and the voluntary crisis centre, where battered women can receive support and help--for instance with temporary accommodation.