The International Violence and Coercion Prevention and Reduction Group

Working together to reduce violence and coercion in mental health care globally

The International Violence and Coercion Prevention and Reduction Group (EViPRG) is an international network of researchers, clinicians, educators, and experts by experience committed to working collaboratively to prevent and reduce violence and coercion in mental health services. Founded in 1997, EViPRG aligns with major international initiatives, including those led by the WHO, OHCHR, and the Council of Europe, to protect human rights and improve mental health care quality.

Achievements

EViPRG has a proud history of:

Over the past decades, EViPRG has built a strong foundation of international research, dialogue, and innovation. Through recurring symposia, collaborative projects, and pioneering frameworks, we continue to shape the future of violence prevention in mental health care - while mentoring the next generation and strengthening rights-based practice across borders.

Sustaining a programme of at least two research symposia annually over the past 28 years, creating consistent spaces for academic exchange and collaboration.

Initiating and leading multi-country research collaborations and grant applications.

Organising and contributing to international conferences shaping research, policy, and practice in violence prevention.

Developing and refining theoretical, ethical, and methodological frameworks central to violence reduction, including developing and implementing new research instruments.

Establishing the bi-annual European Congress on Violence in Clinical Psychiatry (since 2001), now a flagship event for global dialogue and innovation in this field.

Building a knowledge exchange forum (EViPRG Freelist) that enables members to co-develop research questions, validate emerging evidence gaps and coordinate responses to international funding calls.

Mentoring the next generation of scholars and practice leaders committed to human rights-based mental health care.

Successful delivery of the COST-funded Action FOSTREN, establishing a multidisciplinary network across 35 countries to advance evidence-based approaches to coercion reduction.

EViPRG board members

Governance

The EViPRG Board comprises senior, mid-career, and early career researchers, each bringing distinct methodological expertise and applied research experience. The Board meets regularly and steers the strategic direction of the network with direct input from members, ensuring its relevance, sustainability, and responsiveness to global challenges.

Jakub Lickiewicz, PhD, MA

Membership meetings, Website & social media

Tella Lantta, PhD, RN

Vice Chair & minutes

Alina Haines-Delmont, PhD, MSc, BSc, BA

Research coordination, Website & social media

Sophie Hirsch

Treasurer & membership

Trond Hatling

Chair

Roger Almvik

Membership meetings, Congress liaison

Nutmeg Hallett

ECR integration

Tess Maguire RN, BN, GD FBS, GD MHN, MMentHlthSc, PhD

Research coordination, ECR integration

Mission

Towards Human-Centred Mental Health Care

EViPRG envisions mental health care services that use least restrictive approaches that place the individual at the centre of care. Our mission aligns with international policy imperatives led by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and the Council of Europe, among others.

Vision

Reducing Violence, Promoting Rights

As an international, non-governmental network of researchers, clinicians, educators, trainers, and experts by experience, we are committed to working collaboratively to prevent and reduce violence and coercion in mental health services. Our aims include advancing practice competency, improving service quality, and promoting human rights for people with mental health conditions.

Purpose

Since its founding in 1997, EViPRG has grown into a dynamic network of over 120 members across Europe and beyond. We have catalysed numerous multi-country research initiatives, secured major grants, and developed a robust platform for collaborative academic and practice-based innovation.

Our key objectives are to:

Organise a minimum of three symposia annually (including one in-person event) and host an international congress biennially.
Engage meaningfully with people with lived experience of mental health services, carers, families, and advocacy organisations.
Support Early Career Researchers (ECRs) through mentoring, training, and collaboration opportunities.
Attract funding from the European Union and other national & international bodies to advance research, dissemination, and societal impact.
Ensure diverse representation across Europe and engage proactively with partners globally.

Achievements

A Legacy of Impact and Collaboration

Over the past decades, EViPRG has built a strong foundation of international research, dialogue, and innovation. Through recurring symposia, collaborative projects, and pioneering frameworks, we continue to shape the future of violence prevention in mental health care - while mentoring the next generation of researchers and strengthening rights-based practice across borders.

About us