Client Violence toward Social Workers: A Practice and Policy Concern for the 1990s

Recent anecdotal evidence and limited empirical data suggest that physical and emotional violence by clients toward social workers is increasing in all settings. Using case examples, this article examines client violence and illustrates the ways in which such violence is manifested, the risk factors for violent behavior, and the ways in which incidents psychologically and physically affect clinicians. Systematic information to guide constructive action on this issue is lacking, and there is a critical need for a large-scale investigation of the incidence, prevalence, and nature of violence toward social workers. This article presents several recommendations for strategies and policies that social workers and agencies can institute now to protect frontline workers from violence without compromising client services.