Types of violent behaviour

Violence takes many forms. The UCU university and college union takes the view that it includes racial and sexual harassment, verbal threats and physical intimidation; threats with a weapon; and actual violence or assault causing minor or more serious injury.

The Prospect specialists’ union says it includes:

• verbal abuse – shouting, swearing or insults, sexual harassment or other unwanted advances or behaviour, and racial abuse;

• threats and intimidation – from customers or patrons; and

• physical violence – physical attacks including a slap, kicking, spitting or shoving as well as more extreme violence.

The behaviour can happen in person, online or over the phone, and it can happen on the way to and from work. The NUJ journalists’ union recently launched a safety tracker in response to a “scourge” of intimidation, threats and violence journalists are facing “simply for doing their jobs”. This includes growing online as well as in person threats.