This thesis explores the occurrence of violence by service users against social workers. The idea for the research emerged during my practical learning at the Center for Social Work Ljubljana, where I first witnessed a user exhibiting violence toward a social worker. The aim of the research was to shed light on the types of violence experienced by social workers, their coping strategies, their experiences with organizational and legal protection, and the ethical dilemmas they face in such situations.
The theoretical part includes an overview of the roles and operations of the Centers for Social Work, Društva za nenasilno komuniakcijo, and Društva Ključ, all of which engage daily with vulnerable populations. It also examines various forms of violence (verbal, physical, psychological, sexual, and economic), their potential causes (social, psychological, and cultural), as well as the impact of third-party violence in the workplace. Attention is also given to the legal framework and ethical considerations related to discontinuing a case due to threats to the safety of the social worker.
This empirical and qualitative study used interview guidelines as the research instrument. Six social workers from different organizations (Center for Social Work Ljubljana, Društvo Ključ, Društvo za nenasilno komunikacijo) participated in the study. The sample was non-random and convenient, including workers directly engaged with users in 2025.
The results show that social workers are frequently exposed to verbal and psychological violence, and in some cases also to physical assaults by users. A critical issue is the normalization of violence within organizations and the lack of adequate safety protocols. Organizational support is often insufficient, and legal protection is general and incomplete. Ethical dilemmas arise, especially when workers must choose between their duty to help the user and protecting their own safety.
This thesis highlights the need for systemic changes, increased organizational support, the development of concrete safety measures, and the recognition of professional autonomy in cases of workplace violence.
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