Occupational violence against healthcare professionals: Applying a criminological lens

Abstract

Healthcare professionals provide critical health services to our communities. However, while shouldering a heavy burden of responsibility during the COVID-19 pandemic, they have been reportedly abused and bullied by some members of the community for ‘spreading or disseminating the virus’ (Cant, 2020). Prior to the pandemic, an increasing number of healthcare professionals have reported experiences of verbal and/or physical assault while on the job (WorkSafe Victoria, 2020). The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 8–38% of healthcare workers have experienced physical violence at least once during their careers (International Labour Office et al., 2002). The WHO suggests that many more workers have reported experiences of non-physical violence, such as verbal abuse and harassment. When not addressed, this type of victimisation may have significant social, economic and psychological impacts on healthcare workers and on functioning of health systems (Mayhew & Chappell, 2003; Vento et al., 2020).