Briggs, Freda, Broadhurst, Donna, and Hawkins, Russell (2004) Violence, threats and intimidation in the lives of professionals whose work involves children. Trends and Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice, 273. pp. 1-6.

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Abstract

This paper reports the findings from a recent research project which investigated the occurrence, and impact on health, work and well-being, of violence, threats and intimidation in the lives of professionals engaged in the protection of children who have been abused or where abuse / neglect are suspected. The study was based on a survey of 721 participants from a variety of professions involved in child protection. Findings indicate the extremely stressful nature of working in situations that involve child protection, with over 90% of respondents reporting that they were subjected to intimidating experiences in the course of their child protection duties within the last five years, while nearly a quarter had been physically assaulted. Of concern was the perception by almost three-quarters of respondents that nothing in their training had prepared them for exposure to threats and violence in the workplace. The effects of intimidation, threats and violence were reported as predominantly psychological, with the majority of respondents (74%) reporting emotional and/or health effects as a result of experiencing abusive behaviours. Over two thirds of respondents reported feeling burnt out by their work. The study has considerable significance for statutory child protection agencies, professional trainers and university educators in all professions involving children. It also poses a significant challenge to employers to improve management response to workers who encounter abuse and intimidation.

Item ID:	11579
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	0817-8542
Related URLs:	http://www.aic.gov.au/en/publications/cu... http://www.aic.gov.au/en/publications/cu...
Additional Information:	Trends & issues in crime and criminal justice no. 273.
Date Deposited:	20 Jun 2010 23:52
FoR Codes:	16 STUDIES IN HUMAN SOCIETY > 1602 Criminology > 160201 Causes and Prevention of Crime @ 100%
SEO Codes:	94 LAW, POLITICS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES > 9404 Justice and the Law > 940402 Crime Prevention @ 100%
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