Aggressions against social workers: implications for social work education

Media all over Europe reports a growing number of aggressions against social workers. Because of the alarm and concern caused from these events, the National Council of Social Workers in Italy, in collaboration with its Foundation and regional branches, commissioned the first nationwide study on service user violence against social workers. Almost half of the national population of the Italian social worker has been involved. Its outcomes are impressive. In fact, an overwhelming majority (88.2%) of social workers has experienced forms of verbal abuse while 35.8% declare to have feared for their own and their family’s safety.vThe lowest rates of reported violence are physical assault (15.4%) and property damage (11.2%). Younger and less experienced professionals, as well as social workers in child protection are more at risk. According to the respondents, the most important factors that induce service user violence are: situations of vulnerability and distress, the disrespect of service users’ self-determination, disapproval of interventions, little understanding of social workers’ role as well as the lack of resources and other shortcomings in the system of services and policies. On the other side, the most important factors for overcoming situations of trauma are: proximity and support given by colleagues, a reflexive stance and possibilities of supervision. The professional relationship, teamwork, adequate organizations, resources and social policies as well as safety conditions in the workplace are central elements to prevent and manage user aggressions social workers. The strategies described by social workers to prevent or deal with service users’ aggressions are of great interest in social work education as they show the importance of effective and ethics driven professional relationships. The project also provides very rich material helping students to identify and to understand both risks and protection factors particularly important during their first professional experiences in practice placements and in the moment of labour market entry.