Evaluations and grassroots politics: The case of Switzerland

The Swiss political system is unique in Europe, both as regards the widely developed rights of its citizens to take a direct hand in the political process and as regards the strong tradition of federalism and the broad-based powers of the Cantons, despite their smallness. Seen in this way, Switzerland, therefore, offers interesting illustrative material for investigating the “strain” placed by “grassroots politics” on the institutional design of evaluations. Werner Bussmann, Ph.D, is director of the “Effectiveness of Public Policies” (NFP 27) research program funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation, in Bern, Switzerland. He also holds a post at the Federal Office of Justice. His research interests include intergovernmental relations, evaluation and organizational learning.     

Die Durchführung antiandrogener Behandlung von Sexualstraftätern im Berliner Maßregelvollzug

In 2002, the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital in Berlin started a pilot project for combined treatment of sex-offenders with anti-androgenic LH-RH agonists and psychotherapy. On the basis of experience-based knowledge transfer and with almost six years of practical experience, this article reports results of this new approach of combined psychotherapy and drug treatment from medical and psychological viewpoints. First, a short history and general information about the combined treatment are provided. Secondly, its effects on patients’ sexual self-perception, personality disorders and aspects of prognosis are explored. Thirdly, a medical therapy scheme, possible side effects, as well as issues of patients’ rights and approvals are discussed.