Abstract

ZIMUNYA, Shingirayi  and  ALPASLAN, Assim Hashim (Nicky). Experiences of service-user violence and coping strategies employed during social work service delivery: suggestions for ensuring social workers' personal safety. Social work (Stellenbosch. Online) [online]. 2022, vol.58, n.1, pp.1-18. ISSN 2312-7198.  http://dx.doi.org/10.15270/58-1-996.

Workplace violence or incidents where social workers are abused, threatened or assaulted by service users in executing the duties related to their work is acknowledged as a serious concern and an occupational hazard in many countries. This type of violence directly and indirectly challenges social workers' safety, health and wellbeing. In this article, emanating from a qualitative research project, 14 South African social workers' experiences of service-user violence and their coping strategies employed during social work service delivery are reported, and suggestions for ensuring social workers 'personal safety are put forward.

Keywords : coping strategies; occupational hazard; service user violence; social work service delivery; social workers 'personal safety; workplace violence.

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