Strategy 2-Raising awareness

Incorporating Recommendations 5, 8, 11

The taskforce recommended that a public awareness campaign be implemented, that promotes an expectation of behavior and consequences for unacceptable violence and aggression and clearly states the message that violence towards nurses is unacceptable. 

Key Communication messages

The following messages have been tested with community focus groups and used by the department in Occupational Violence promotional material.  Health services are recommended to use the same messages.

A workplace free of violence and bullying:
Everyone has the right to be safe

A workplace free of violence and bullying is a better
place to care for you and your family

A workplace free of violence and bullying: a better
place for work, a better place for care

Activities to raise awareness of occupational violence has also included the following:

Development of the NurseSafe logo and media advertising

Nurse Policy Branch has overseen the production of television advertisements that use the NurseSafe logo and portray the messages as outlined in the taskforce recommendations. 

Posters and Multilingual cards

A series of posters utilizing the key messages that have been approved for occupational violence communications, have been produced for use in workplaces and are available free of charge by contacting Info Victoria on 1300 366 356.

A multi lingual card that outlines in 15 key non English languages the key messages regarding occupational violence prevention is available.

The posters are available for view and download.

“Post it” notes with key messages and lanyards with NurseSafe logo were also distributed to public health services with the release of the policy framework.

kNOw Violence Conference

In 2006 Nurse Policy hosted a 'kNOw Violence' Conference attended by over 400 people.  Conference presentations are available from the publications page.