Security Risk: Preventing Client Violence Against Social Workers

Social work is not immune to our increasingly violent society. New research indicates that at least a quarter of professional social workers will confront a violent situation on the job. Half of all human services professionals will experience client violence at some point during their careers. Security Risk presents rational approaches for implementing safety guidelines in the social work environment. Readers will learn how to recognize potential violence and apply prevention guidelines, specific personal and professional safeguards, and intervention strategies for violent situations. Without question, safety concerns must become a priority in the profession. This manual provides easily applied methods and strategies for enhancing personal safety while remaining cognizant of the supportive, empathetic role of social workers. Special Features * Defines the dilemma and incidence of and reasons for increasing violence toward social workers * Addresses the different types of violence, noting the need for appropriate responses to each * Identifies risk factors and delineates the degree of danger in different settings * Discusses preventive techniques and strategies, including interview pointers, environmental safeguards, and response planning * Offers suggestions on managing the aftermath of a violent encounter