Workplace violence and aggression - why training is crucial

Get Real: Talking mental health & disability

For this episode we talk about occupational violence and aggression – what it is, who it affects and how people can be educated and supported to manage situations where clients, the public, even co-workers, may become verbally or physically aggressive.
According to Work Safe Victoria, occupational violence and aggression is when a person is abused, threatened or assaulted in a situation related to their work. It might come from anywhere – clients, customers, the public or even co-workers.

It’s a challenging issue for workplaces and employees, more so since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our guests for this episode are:
Belinda Ellis
Belinda is ermha365’s Chief Operating Officer – Quality, Safeguarding and Risk, and a registered psychologist who has more than 15 years’ experience working within high risk and complex need service areas, including forensics. She is passionate about progressive, clinically informed and evidence-based service provision and strives for positive intervention outcomes for individuals and communities.

Rod Catterall
Rod is a highly-sought after specialist in behaviour management, security and assessment and is regarded nationally as a leader in this area. He is the director of Rod Catterall & Associates where he heads a team of specialists that provides education and training to organisations around Australia around occupational violence.
Find out more about Rod's work or get in touch with him via Rod Catterall & Associates, phone [phone] or email [e-mail]
In the conversation Rod mentions Dr Malini Singh, a partner at Rod Catterall & Associates who is the lead trainer in delivering Autism Training across Victoria. Rod also mentions Jody Barney who is lead trainer in delivering Disability Cultural Awareness Training (including specific to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples) around Australia.
ermha365 CEO Karenza Louis-Smith hosts this episode.

Produced and co-hosted by Emily Webb, Advocacy and External Communications Advisor.
If you have been affected by anything discussed in these episodes contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. There are free translation services available.
13 YARN on 13 92 76 is 24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
ermha365 provides support for people with complex mental health and disability in Victoria and the Northern Territory.

ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.