Personal safety is a concern for many individuals. Although no one expects to find themselves in a situation where they ‘must’ defend themselves, understanding the legal framework around self-defence is essential. In the UK, self-defence is designed to balance the right to protect oneself with the need to avoid unnecessary violence. It is vitally important to familiarise yourself with the … Read more
Travelling alone can be an empowering experience, offering independence and a sense of adventure. However, it also carries inherent risks, particularly if routes are not carefully planned. The tragic stories of individuals who have fallen victim to assaults due to inadequate planning serve as a stark reminder of the importance of safety in solo travel. Let’s explores these dangers and … Read more
Workplace violence encompasses a range of behaviours, including physical assaults, threats, and verbal abuse. Recent statistics reveal that a significant number of workers have been affected by workplace violence. According to recent data, approximately 600,000 workers in the UK alone reported being assaulted, threatened, or abused. This figure underscores the urgent need for effective workplace safety measures. In recent years, … Read more
When is someone too close? When you anticipate danger from what you can see, hear and/or feel from the other person. Increasingly personal safety has become a paramount concern. One of the fundamental principles in ensuring personal safety is maintaining a safe distance from potential threats. This approach not only allows individuals to assess situations more accurately but also provides … Read more
The BBC Panorama broadcast ‘Undercover School: Cruelty in the classroom’, which aired on 17th June 2024, covering the physical and psychological abuse at the Life Wirral School, was highly emotive and made for difficult viewing. If you have not seen it, there is a link at the foot of this post. The International Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion (ICARS) posted … Read more
Intervening to take away someone’s freedom of movement is generally done for a greater good, to. To stop a situation from going wrong. Or, To prevent a situation from worsening Either way it’s important that you record and report the full picture around What happened before you had to (physically) intervene What was the other persons behaviour What happened after … Read more
My first recollection of being knowingly introduced to this subject was around 2001 watching a video regarding the subject of Excited Delirium. Back then the heading of cocaine induced psychosis and the disproportionate superhuman strength it gave to people was one of the non-clinical terms used. This I felt had the unfortunate bias of implying if people displayed the behaviours … Read more
Among the concerns of using physical intervention, several long-standing misconceptions persist, contributing to dangerous misunderstandings and potentially lethal situations. One of the most prevalent misunderstandings is the belief that if someone can talk, they can breathe. This misconception has led to tragic outcomes, particularly in cases involving physical restraint, where individuals have died due to insufficient oxygen intake despite being … Read more
QMC recorded 1,800 incidents of aggression, violence and harassment during 2022-23. Notting University Hospital recorded 1,806 incidents. Staff have been hit, spat at, threatened, verbally and racially abused. What are some of the main triggers for the abuse of staff: Treating drunks Rival gangs People high on drugs People with mental health problems Homeless people, seeking a place of warmth … Read more
The recent BBC Disclosure programme, shown on 5th February 2024, brought to light the need for continued expertise and experience in preventing and managing aggressive behaviours. The programme featured the review into one of Scotland’s most high-profile deaths in prison custody (2015) cases at the Fatal Accident Inquiry which followed. Physical intervention is a very contentious issue and will always … Read more