As general objectives, the DOVE project aims to collect, describe, compare and analyze documents on policies and practices directly addressing domestic violence that are being implemented throughout the involved states. Simultaneously, DOVE will describe the domestic violence experiences of women and men aged 18-64 years living in urban centres of 8 European Member States, regarding its magnitude, characteristics, determinants and its consequences in terms of health and quality of life.
Overall, the project contribution focuses on the development of evidence-based policies, research and practice strategies to early detection and prevention of DV against women and men, as well as existing practices of support, care and rehabilitation of victimized women and men and management of perpetration.

DOVE will contribute to improve citizen’s health security, increase awareness of domestic violence (DV) issues and promote knowledge exchange. The project will not only allow comparative analysis of scientific data, but will also promote exchange of legislation and dissemination of good practices procedures according to overall strategic approach to promote mental health across different EU cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds.

DOVE will pursue its aims based on a randomly selected, representative, proportionally stratified, census based sample of the total population (women and men aged 18-64), living in 8 EU States. Trained interviewers will assess the magnitude, characteristics and determinants of DV, as well as health and quality of life outcomes, using specific and adequate tools, previously adapted and back-translated. Additionally, multidisciplinary teams of scientists will gather, analyze and comprehend existing documents, legislation, national plans and practices for each EU State involved, ensuring the reliability of data collected and the comparability of DOVE`s findings.

It is expected to generate and disseminate health information and knowledge about DV, providing documents and guidelines directed to policy-makers, researchers and practitioners throughout EU, that respect and take the best of cultural differences. Population awareness about violence and its consequences will be increased, namely by producing objective, evidence-based, scientifically sound documents accessible to lay people (namely addressing support, rehabilitation of victims and management of perpetration).