Following our successful first conference in Vancouver, we have now established our Association, paying due attention to establishing a formal structure (see the By-laws) and a democratic process. We anticipate focussing on four major areas:

• Clinical forensic psychiatry and psychology including family violence
• Administrative/legal issues
• Research in forensic mental health (civil/criminal), violence, and abuse
• Training and education.

Activities

i) A journal, The International Journal of Forensic Mental Health, is now being published twice a year.

ii) Web-site. Will be updated regularly.

iii) A listing of participating agencies. We are establishing a directory which will be maintained by colleagues in Germany.

iv) Educational exchanges. Not yet established.

v) Internationally focused research. Prior to the establishment of our Association, Sheilagh Hodgins had established a research group from Sweden, Germany, Finland and Canada. She and the group plan to use the Association as a vehicle to discuss the progress of their research which focuses on violent behaviour in forensic and civilly committed patient cohorts. It is hoped that the Association can provide a forum to facilitate other international research and, of course, to give national research an international profile.

vi) Annual conference.

vii) Further developments. The Association is open to any and all suggestions. Please contact us with your ideas.