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How widespread is violence at work? Statistics paint a mixed picture. Between 9,000 and 13,000 reportable accidents at work per year are caused by violence. Psychological violence such as insults or threats are often not included in the statistics. A representative survey conducted by forsa, Gesellschaft für Sozialforschung und statistische Analysen mbH on behalf of the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV), the umbrella organization of the German Social Accident Insurance Institutions, now shows that around a third of employees who have frequent contact with people outside the company, such as customers or patients, have experienced verbal abuse at work in the past twelve months.

Violence and aggression are an increasing problem for many employees. The consequences for those affected as well as companies and institutions can be serious. The current issue of the magazine “DGUV forum” deals with the causes of violence and the development of suitable prevention measures. Accident reports and the experience of the accident insurance institutions show that such incidents happen again and again.