Violence Against Emergency Workers EscalatesViolence Against Emergency Workers Escalates Ambulance Victoria has sounded the alarm over a surge in violence against emergency workers, with over 100 incidents resulting in injuries in the past year. The state government agency has condemned the aggression and abuse faced by paramedics and clinicians. In a recent press release, Ambulance Victoria Executive Director of Regional Operations Danielle North highlighted several serious workplace violence incidents. These included a paramedic being punched in the face, a paramedic being dislocated after patient aggression, and emergency workers being harassed and threatened outside a hospital. The increase in violence has prompted concerns among paramedics and has led to calls for an end to the aggression. North emphasized that emergencies can be stressful, but there is no excuse for violence against emergency workers. According to Ambulance Victoria, there were 105 reported incidents of workplace violence involving injuries between July 2023 and March 2024. These incidents included assaults, harassment, and abuse. The Northern Territory has also seen a significant increase in assaults against paramedics since the lifting of alcohol bans in some areas. Saint John Ambulance NT reported an 88% increase in calls for reported and sexual assaults between June and December 2023. Ambulance Victoria is urging the public to treat emergency workers with respect and to refrain from aggressive behavior. They emphasize that attacking or reprimanding a paramedic will not expedite their response. In Victoria, injuring an emergency worker is a Category 1 offense, punishable by a mandatory minimum prison sentence of six months. Ambulance Victoria encourages paramedics and other workers to report any incidents of workplace violence. The agency’s top priority is the safety of its staff, and they have been advised to leave an incident if they feel unsafe. The increase in violence against emergency workers highlights the need for public awareness and support for those who put their lives on the line to help others.
Ambulance Victoria has called for an end to violence against emergency workers, saying there have been more than 100 incidents in the past year that have left people injured.
Northern Territory paramedics have attended almost double the number of assaults since controversial alcohol bans were lifted last year. New figures from Saint John Ambulance NT reveal an 88 per cent increase in calls for reported and sexual assaults between June and December. Alice Springs paramedics attended an extra 512 calls in the 12 months to December. Residents fear the crime wave will only get worse as some alcohol restrictions are reintroduced in the city from today.
The state government agency said paramedics and clinicians have worked hard to provide the best possible support and care to communities across Victoria, yet they are still exposed to “occupational violence and abuse”.
Ambulance Victoria Executive Director of Regional Operations Danielle North said there had been several serious incidents of workplace violence recently, and so they reminded the community that “violence against paramedics, emergency workers and dispatchers is never okay”.
Ambulance Victoria has called for an end to violence against paramedics after more than 100 incidents in the past year. Photo: NCA NewsWire/Ian Currie
“We know that emergencies can be stressful for people, but this is no excuse to act aggressively towards emergency workers,” Ms North said.
According to Ambulance Victoria, there were 105 reported incidents involving injuries between July 2023 and March 2024.
In recent incidents:
- A paramedic was grabbed and punched in the face by a patient he was treating;
- A paramedic was dislocated after a patient became aggressive;
- Emergency workers were harassed and chased by a man outside a Melbourne hospital who threatened to attack them.
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Ms North said aggressive behaviour towards emergency workers could lead to them interrupting their treatment or withdrawing from the scene of an accident.
“Our top priority is the safety of our paramedics and emergency responders, and they have our full support to leave an incident if they ever feel unsafe,” she said.
“Attacking or reprimanding a paramedic will not help him or her do his or her job any faster.”
Injuring an emergency worker in Victoria is a Category 1 offence and can result in a mandatory minimum prison sentence of six months.
Ambulance Victoria said paramedics and other workers are encouraged to report any incidents of workplace violence.
