Perpetrator and Victim Profile

Only a small percentage of violence is perpetrated by the mentally ill. Gang members, distraught relatives, drug users, social deviants, or threatened individuals are often aggressive or violent. A history of violent behavior is one of the best indicators of future violence by an individual. This information, however, may not be available, especially for new workers, patients, or clients. Even if this information were available, workers not directly involved with these individuals would not have access to it. 

Little has been done to study the cost to employers and employees of work-related injuries and illnesses, including assaults. A few studies have shown an increase in assaults over the past two decades. In one reported situation of 121 workers sustaining 134 injuries, 43% involved lost time from work with 13% of those injured missing more than 21 days from work. In this same investigation, an estimate of the costs of assault was that the 134 injuries from patient violence cost 766,000 and resulted in 4,291 days lost and 1,445 days of restricted duty. 

Additional costs may result from security or response team time, employee assistance program or other counseling services, facility repairs, training and support services for the unit involved, modified duty, and reduction of effectiveness of work productivity in all staff due to a heightened awareness of the potential for violence. The cost of not developing and providing security at your woikplace could be disastrous to your business. Hence, it is imperative that a part of your occupational safety and health effort be directed toward security and the prevention of woikplace violence. 

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