Abstract: For this study, an anonymous survey was sent to registered nurses in their first year of practice. From the 1169 survey instruments that were distributed, 551 were returned completed (a response rate of 47%). The most common inappropriate behaviour by patients involved verbal threats, verbal sexual harassment, and physical intimidation. There were 22 incidents of assault requiring medical intervention and 21 incidents of participants being stalked by patients. Male graduates and younger nurses were especially vulnerable. Mental health was the service area most at risk. A most distressing incident was described by 123 (22%) of respondents. The level of distress caused by the incident was rated by 68 of the 123 respondents (55%) as moderate or severe. Only half of those who described a most distressing event indicated they had some undergraduate training in protecting against assault or in managing potentially violent incidents. After registration, 45 (37%) indicated they had received such training. The findings of this study indicate priorities for effective prevention programmes.

Abstract: This thesis arises from the author's experience of several years of working in the emergency department and being exposed to workplace violence from patients and their families. Emergency nurses in New Zealand experience workplace violence every day. Registered nurses and the institutions in which they work manage workplace violence to varying degrees and in an ad hoc manner. The author notes that New Zealand has no national guidelines, or consensus on the management of workplace violence in the health sector. This research explores emergency nurses' encounters during their work when they have experienced workplace violence. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the experience and the consequences when nurses are confronted with episodes of violence while working in the emergency department. The essence of this research is gaining an understanding of how registered nurses have managed workplace violence and the impact of that violence on themselves, their colleagues, and the patients in the emergency department. Recommendations are made regarding nationally consistent guidelines, education on the management of workplace violence, improved security, and emergency department design. The discussion concludes with suggestions for further research on workplace violence in the health sector

Abstract: The Rating Scale for Aggressive Behaviours in the Elderly (RAGE) is a twenty-one item rating scale, designed specifically to measure aggressive behaviours in the elderly in the psychogeriatric inpatient setting. The purpose of the scale is to qualify the aggressive behaviour, note any changes in the behaviour, and record intervention and/or treatments. This study combines both qualitative and quantitative methods with exploratory and descriptive designs to explore nurses' experiences of using a consistent tool for monitoring, measuring and managing aggressive behaviours. Data gathered over a three month period of implementing RAGE aimed to provide a 'snapshot' of the prevalence, extent and type of aggressive behaviours within the inpatient setting, providing evidence to nurses in developing strategies for the management of aggression. Focus group interviews were used to enable nurses to discuss their experiences of utilising a clinically validated tool in their practice and how this made a difference to their practice. Findings from this research indicate that nurses within the setting found that RAGE is a consistent tool with which nurses can record, measure and monitor aggressive behaviours. Responses from nurses' experiences of utilising RAGE in their practice were varied, with some being unable to articulate how RAGE had made a difference to their practice. Despite this there was an overwhelming positive response for the continued use of RAGE within the setting as a clinically validated tool by which to measure, record and manage aggressive behaviours.

Abstract: This retrospective quasi-experimental study reviewed assaults in two adult mental health inpatient rehabilitation units. The majority of clients in this area experience enduring mental health illnesses and have complex physical health issues. The service comprises of an intensive rehabilitation unit and a secure extended rehabilitation unit. Between May and August 2001 the service moved to purpose built facilities. The opportunity was taken to review clients' assaultive behaviour in the new environment and to compare the incidents with those in the old environment to see if there had been any significant changes. Data on assault incidents including time of assault, place of assault, who was involved and what preventative actions were suggested were collected from the Incident and Accident Hazard Reports (IAHR) dating from 1 April 2000 until 31 May 2002. Staff were expected to complete IAHR reports on all assault incidents. The research examined whether the change in environmental conditions impacted on clients' wellbeing in relation to assaultive behaviour. Trends within the IAHR reports were also examined in order to compare these to similar studies completed in other parts of the world. There were 141 IAHR reports of assault incidents. Fifty of these occurred in the pre move period, 38 in the transition phase and 53 in the post move. There was no significant difference in the rate of assaults in the pre-move to post move period. Completion of the IAHR forms was seen to be very problematic, especially in relation to legal status of perpetrators and documentation of prevention strategies. An urgent audit of existing practice is now required to establish if problems found with the quality and completion of the IAHR forms continues to be evident in the rehabilitation service and if present staff education is needed to improve the standard of documentation. Research is also needed to establish the extent to which staff implement strategies to prevent assaults, and to reduce recidivism.

Abstract: The purpose of this research is to examine the cultural context which makes violence and abuse against women and children possible. In 2003, the public debate on prostitution law reform promised to open a space in which discourses on sexuality and violence, practices usually private or hidden, would publicly emerge. Everyday discourses relating to prostitution law reform reported in the New Zealand Herald newspaper in the year 2003 were analysed using Foucauldian and feminist post-structural methodological approaches. Foucauldian discourse analysis emphasises the ways in which power is enmeshed in discourse, enabling power relations and hegemonic practices to be made visible. The research aims were to develop a complex, comprehensive analysis of the media discourses, to examine the construction of harm in the media debate, to examine the ways in which the cultural hegemony of dominant groups was secured and contested and to consider the role of mental health nurses as agents of emancipatory political change. Mental health promotion is mainly a socio-political practice and the findings suggest that mental health nurses could reconsider their professional role, to participate politically as social activists, challenging the social order thereby reducing the human suffering which interpersonal violence and abuse carries in its wake.