The Occupational Violence Experiences of 400 Australian Health Workers

an exploratory study

By C Mayhew and D Chappell

Scientific research literature and available data indicate that occupational violence is a predictable accompaniment to work in some jobs, is rare in others, and is in epidemic proportions in a few.

The project covered in this special issue of the Journal of Occupational Health and Safety was initiated to provide baseline information about the risks of occupational violence faced by workers in the public health care sector and the scenarios in which such aggression takes place, to highlight characteristics described as common among perpetrators, and to identify appropriate prevention strategies.

(Journal of Occupational Health and Safety - Australia and New Zealand. vol. 19, no. 6, December 2003)