Family violence - intrafamilial child abuse, spouse/partner abuse, elder abuse -is a social, legal and health protection issue of epidemic proportions in many nations of the world, whether they be developed, developing or in transition.

The World Congress on Family Violence (WCFV) provides an interdisciplinary, multicultural learning opportunity for professionals in health care, education, law, child and adult protection, social services, public policy, human rights advocacy, public health, governmental and intergovernmental agencies and nongovernmental organizations.

The WCFV program will be organized by the Scientific Program Committees on Child Abuse, on Spouse/Partner Abuse and on Elder Abuse in accordance with submitted abstract proposals that assure a comprehensive range of topics in plenary sessions, mini-plenary panels, round-tables, debates, and concurrent presentations and poster sessions.

Special emphasis will be given by the Committees to innovative solutions, best practices and research findings on cross-disciplinary themes, target groups, determinants, specific communities or geographical regions.