It is pervasive and must be addressed by every school of social work, agency and individual worker.
Violence includes physical assault, verbal assault, harassment and the threat of assault.
If agencies have well conceived safety policies and procedures in place, client and worker safety will be maximized and the agency's liability will be minimized. NASW Massachusetts Chapter's Committee for the Study and Prevention of Violence Against Social Workers recommends that every agency and private practitioner develop safety policies and procedures that address prevention, intervention and aftermath strategies. Listed below is an outline of requirements for developing a comprehensive policy and safety plan. This outline is general. Each agency or private practice must develop specific guidelines that address their unique characteristics.