![]() ![]() In some instances, aggression may be a client's most effective mechanism for fulfilling their needs, developed as a survival strategy over time. Issues such as eligibility criteria, bureaucratic processes, high service demands, and time-limited funding can all act as barriers to clients getting the help they need, and can contribute to the aggravation of clients under extreme stress. On top of this, the effects of systemic constraints are real and can have devastating consequences for clients. 67) point out, 'clients utilise social services when dealing with significant life problems by definition, such times are demanding of and stressful for the client'. This paper does not label all clients as dangerous, or seek to generalise the prevalence of violent behaviour among all social welfare clients. What are the evidence-informed implications for policy, organisational action and practice?.What are the similarities and differences between the official statistics and the peer-reviewed literature?.What does the peer-reviewed literature tell us about the prevalence and nature of the problem?.What do official statistics tell us about the prevalence and nature of client violence towards workers in the child, family and community welfare sector?.Using a systematic search method, supplementary hand searching and recent grey literature, this paper aims to answer four questions: In the context of this paper, the studies specifically refer to adult clients. While existing literature on client violence tends to focus on statutory child protection workers, this paper will draw on studies relating to client violence 2 towards all workers in the sector more broadly. This paper investigates what is known about the prevalence and nature of client violence towards workers in the child, family and community welfare sector and it synthesises the evidence-informed implications for addressing this violence with targeted responses through policy and practice. ![]() While a substantial body of literature exists on issues such as workplace bullying and vicarious trauma in the welfare sector, the authors identified a research gap in how workers experience client violence, particularly in Australia. abuse from colleagues, vicarious trauma). All of these experiences could have implications for the safety and wellbeing of workers in the sector, as well as on their practice with clients.Ĭlient violence can be distinct from other experiences of workplace violence and trauma (e.g. More recent international research indicates a continuation of issues with client violence towards workers in this sector. Overall, 67% of these workers had experienced at least one form of violence in the past 12 months (Koritsas et al., 2008). physical abuse was approximately 1 in 10 workers.sexual harassment was approximately 1 in 7 workers.property damage or theft was almost 1 in 5 workers.intimidation was approximately 1 in 2 workers.verbal abuse was approximately 3 in 5 workers.The study found that the proportion of workers who had experienced: Workers in the survey reported experiences of workplace violence from the preceding 12 months. However, their overall research focus was on violence towards social workers due to the high degree of client contact in the profession. They looked at social workers' experiences of violence from clients and friends/family members of clients, as well as from colleagues or other professionals. These researchers surveyed 216 social workers 1 across Australia to establish the prevalence of six forms of workplace violence. The most recent Australian study looking at the prevalence of violence towards workers is Koritsas and colleagues (2008), which is now over 10 years old. They can have clients who struggle with complex and inter-related problems associated with mental illness, alcohol and other drug misuse, disability, relationship and parenting issues, family violence, financial instability and housing instability. Workers employed in social welfare roles have a range of professional backgrounds, including social work, community work and youth work. Research studies have confirmed that workers in the child, family and community welfare sector in Australia, and internationally, can be the target of violence and aggression by clients and their direct associates (Briggs, Broadhurst, & Hawkins, 2004 Broadhurst, White, Fish, Munro, Fletcher, & Lincoln, 2010 Hunt, Goddard, Cooper, Littlechild, & Wild, 2016 Koritsas, Coles, & Boyle, 2008 Stanley & Goddard, 2002). ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |