What Social Workers Need to Know about Client Violence

Abstract

Client violence perpetrated against social workers has increased during the past decade as violence in society and the media has increased, social service resources decreased, and clients have become increasingly powerless. A survey of 175 licensed social workers and 98 agency directors in a western state showed that 25% of social workers had been assaulted fry a client, nearly 50% had witnessed violence in an agency, and more than 75% were fearful of workplace violence. The author summarizes the skills that social workers and agency directors need to prevent and cope with client violence. These skills range from self-awareness and client assessment to debriefing and support of the traumatized worker.