BJS: One of the Top Careers for Workplace Violence

Study shows only police officers face higher risk

U.S. residents suffered an annual average of 1.7 million violent workplace victimizations from 1993 through 1999, the Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Statistics reported. In addition to those nonfatal workplace crimes against people 12 and older, there were about 900 workplace-related homicides per year during that period, according to the BJS study released in December. Workplace violence accounted for 18 percent of all violent crimes committed during the period studied.

Of the occupations examined, police officers were victimized at the highest rate at 26 percent. whereas university professors and teachers had the lowest rate of victimization, below 1 percent.

Corrections officers were second from the top of the list of those most often victimized at work. Almost 16 percent of all COs suffered some sort of victimization on the job.

Victimization in the report includes nonfatal violence in the workplace including sexual assault, assault, robbery and theft from person, work station or vehicle.

Government employees had violent victimization rates that were almost triple the rate of people who work for private companies and almost four times as high as those who are self-employed.

The following are additional findings:

The number of workplace homicides fell by 39 percent during the seven years of the study.

Caucasian workers reported workplace victimization at a rate 25 percent higher than blacks and almost 59 percent higher than those of other races.

In about 60 percent of cases, offenders were the same race as their victims.

About 1 in 8 victimized workers were injured.

About 1 in 9 faced multiple offenders.

About 40 percent of the victims had a prior relationship with the offender.

Unarmed offenders committed about 75 per- cent of all workplace violence.

More than 80 percent of Workplace homicides were committed with firearms.

 

Warning signs

According to corrections experts, the following indicators have been associated with acts of work- place violence. These warning signs do not necessarily mean the individual actually will be violent, but the signs might show cause for concern:

 

Sudden irrational beliefs and ideas.

Verbal, nonverbal and written threats of intimidation.

Disregard for the safety of other employees.

Fascination with weapons.

Productivity and attendance problems.

Signs of alcohol and drug abuse.

Argumentative or altercations with others.

Chronic signs of depression.

Significant personal, family or financial stress.

Quick to place blame.

Paranoia.

Feelings of being victimized.

 

Minimize violence

Corrections experts make the following suggestions to de-escalate potentially violent situations:

Do

Project calmness: Move and speak slowly.

Be an empathetic listener. Encourage the person to talk.

Acknowledge the person's feelings. Indicate that you can see they are upset.

Maintain a relaxed, attentive posture and position yourself at a right angle to the person.

 

Do not

Immediately reject the person's demands.

Make sudden movements that can be seen as threatening.

Challenge, threaten or dare the individual.

Make false statements or promises.

Invade the individual's personal space.

For a full copy of the report, call (800) 732-3277 and ask for report number NCJ 190076. .