A social worker was stalked for more than six years by a man she visited as part of a mental health assessment team, reports the Guardian today. The service user made numerous silent phone calls to Shauna Bailey, attempted to torch her car and assaulted her, once beating her face with a brick. She was eventually forced into hiding.
This is an extreme case, but it raises the question: is stalking or prolonged abuse outside of the workplace a widespread problem in social work?
I've had two stalkers in my career.
One was benign. He had a psychotic illness and got it into his head that I was constantly in danger. Kept turning up my house checking on my welfare.
The other was a woman with a history of stalking and serious violence towards the stalkee's spouse. A bit De Clerembault like. I hope that she no longer knows where I am but I need to remain alert.
When I was a child protection social worker, I was threatened by a father who had been diagnosed as psychopathic with a religous mania. Two Psychiatrists had said he was likely to show no remorse in taking vengeance for the removal of his child. He felt that God was calling him to kill me, as I was doing the Devils' work breaking up families.
I reported this to my Area Manager, who confered with the Personnel Dept. , and was then told not to worry becuase I was insured for death whilst at work.
Fortunately, the Police were more useful and gave me some tips on moving away to a new region and leaving no trail.
" told not to worry becuase I was insured for death whilst at work."
No way, thats outrageous!!
Ps good username ;)
dubbegoodtome:I reported this to my Area Manager, who confered with the Personnel Dept. , and was then told not to worry becuase I was insured for death whilst at work.
this is appaling i would have serious misgivings about working for an authority that has such little respect and concern for its workers safety, absolutley disgusting !
dubbegoodtome: I reported this to my Area Manager, who confered with the Personnel Dept. , and was then told not to worry becuase I was insured for death whilst at work.
It has taken me a little while to reply to this because I literally couldn't see - the tears of laughter were streaming down my face.
This is priceless.
Do you mind if I quote you on my blog? This is just wonderful stuff and highlights perfectly the lack of understanding that office-based 'officials' have of the realitiy of health and social care work.
I'm sure you felt so much better knowing that the personnel dept. had got your back covered! Oops sorry - I meant had got their back covered!
Cheers,
Stuart
Visit my blog at http://stuartsorensen.wordpress.com/
i've been stalked numerous time's. nothing to do with work, being a good looking guy and playing the field turns burdz into bunnyboilers.
Well 'titchmagoo' it just shows how utterly misguided people can be and how superficial you are- which your postings have clearly indicated on many occasions. I trust that others will now see you for what you are. It makes all your criticisms of myself by yourself all the more welcome as they validate everything I have to say - thank you so much and don't hesitate to continue!
Hi Stuart, Titch, Pinky, Lizzer etc.,
Thanks for your comments, I actually feel better about this incident just hearing your comments. As you can imagine, I haven't really discussed this with anyone before (anonymity and all that).
Particular thanks to Stuart, I hadn't really been able to laugh at this before but it is so ludicrous that it IS funny. Please use it mate.
Rupert M: Well 'titchmagoo' it just shows how utterly misguided people can be and how superficial you are- which your postings have clearly indicated on many occasions. I trust that others will now see you for what you are. It makes all your criticisms of myself by yourself all the more welcome as they validate everything I have to say - thank you so much and don't hesitate to continue!
Well said, Rupert. If TM wants to repeatedly expose himself as a laughing stock, then that's his perogative & as you say, his attitude only serves ho validate the opinions that he thinks he's shooting down.
nigel reigate: Rupert M: Well 'titchmagoo' it just shows how utterly misguided people can be and how superficial you are- which your postings have clearly indicated on many occasions. I trust that others will now see you for what you are. It makes all your criticisms of myself by yourself all the more welcome as they validate everything I have to say - thank you so much and don't hesitate to continue! Well said, Rupert. If TM wants to repeatedly expose himself as a laughing stock, then that's his perogative & as you say, his attitude only serves ho validate the opinions that he thinks he's shooting down.
hey ho. i know humour is not evryones cup of tea, particularly when it upsets the proessional ego but the humour i use is tame compared to the real world i actually work in. i don't take seriously the overserious people, head, arse,up comes to mind. but again, i'm only troubled by criticism if it comes from someone opinion i respect.
I've been on this forum a matter of days. If you think what you post is humour then you really need to get a life.
You're just trolling and not even doing that very well.
right back atcha general.
Que?
misty here tonight, or is smoke(y)?
No I don't do drugs-or haven't done for 20 years.
Grow up, BTW.
Well said 'titcy' - as you are clearly upset by my postings it is, therefore, excellent news that you clearly respect me otherwise, of course, you wouldn't be upset!!! I just warm to you even more - and even more thanks.
i stress again, criticism is a compliment from folks i have no respect for. dance around that all you want.
Oh dear my dear friend 'googoo' and I thought that we were beginning to make a connection!!! - still, love gone wrong can really result in harsh words which I know you don't mean! I know really just how much you love and respect me so don't try to hide it as it will just eat you up inside.
Please can we keep the discussions on CareSpace about issues and not get involved in personal abuse. Thanks
CareSpace support
I have never been stalked and i dont know any social workers who have but i can see how it will easily happen. Its a part of social work that scares me to think that i would have to leave a location i love just to stay away from angry/upset/troubled clients. I think if that happened and i felt i had to move i would just quit and find another job. Scary.
"We speak, and the word goes out beyond us, to consequences and ends which we had not conceived of." - Gadamer
Community Care is doing a survey on violence against social workers, to try and establish how widespread the problem is. So far 29 people have taken part. Of those, 82% have been abused, assaulted or threatened with violence while working in social care. In the majority of cases, the perpetrator was a service user and the social worker was verbally attacked. Full results will be published soon. Click here to take the survey
Hi titchmagoo,
your quick luvin the sense of humour ,classic hw you get people's backs up!