Physical Violence to Staff
| Published date | 01 October 1993 |
| DOI | 10.1177/026455059304000306 |
| Date | 01 October 1993 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
Physical Violence
to Staff
Mandy Sheridan, currently a probation officer at Full Sutton Prison,
reports her research into staff perceptions and experience of violence
in one Probation Area, identifies shortcomings in training and management
and makes proposals for safer, more effective policy and practice.
.
Four years ago Humberside Pro- respondents’ backgrounds and opinions.
bation Service ran a series of two-
Questionnaire B looking at the nature of at-
day courses for staff on coping with violence
tacks was to be completed only by those who
at work. Though these were appreciated by
had experienced violence. A return rate for
staff, it was apparent that staff wanted more
Questionnaire A of 55 % (82) was achiev-
help to meet their concerns. When I con-
ed. Ten (12%) said that they had experienc-
tacted the Home Office I was informed that
ed violence in the preceding two years; 22
no research on violence to probation staff
(27 %) said they had experienced violence
was being undertaken or was contemplated.
prior to that. Twenty five staff (17 °~ ) com-
I therefore decided to undertake some local
pleted Questionnaire B. The gender balance
research posing two key questions:
for both questionnaires was 60 % male, 40 %
1. How
do staff perceive the risk of physical
female. This appears to suggest that gender
violence, is their perception accurate and do
was not a significant factor in staffs ex-
they feel that enough is being done to ad-
perience of violence.
dress the issue?
Training
2. What was the extent and nature of
Did
you receive any training on coping with
violence experienced by staff?
violence during your professional training ?
To keep my research clear and
The clear majority ($0 % ) answered in the
manageable, I restricted my inquiry to
negative. Of those who had experienced
physical violence, using this definition: A
violence at work, 92 % had received no in-
non-accidental act of aggression that results
struction. There
in the physical injury,
may be several reasons for
no matter how
slight,
this difference. It is possible that experience
to the subject of the attack.’ Whilst excluding
of violence increases
verbal abuse, I would
an individual’s sense
acknowledge that it
of vulnerability and consequently makes
can be as damaging to the victim as physical
them
attack.
more
aware of any lack of instruction.
Alternatively, those who did not receive such
The Findings
training may be more likely to be attacked.
Did you receive instruction in coping with
Two questionnaires
violence via
were sent in 1991
practical training sessions
andlor
to all seniors, main grade probation officers
formal discussions within your im-
and
mediate work...
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