In 2024 we need to make forbidden conversations acceptable, speaking up is courage.

I experienced firsthand how workplace harassment and unaddressed issues can escalate without intervention. Reflecting on my experience, as well as my role as a former social worker, made me realize that many helping professionals are vulnerable to the violence and aggression that I experienced without support. Professionals are often told it’s part of their job, while conversations about harassment and violence are silenced and no real intervention takes place. This only reflects fear—fear of the truth and the organizational responsibility to address it. The union, the Social Work College, the Employer do not have the mechanisms to deal with this growing issue and often times use ineffective methods like forming committees.  Growth in social work requires us to make these “forbidden” conversations acceptable, so social workers can feel safe expressing concerns about their physical and emotional well-being. Silence harms not only workers, but the vulnerable families they support.

I once believed my workplace was safe, despite numerous dangerous encounters. This belief was a false sense of security, a “normalization of deviance”—a term coined by sociologist Diane Vaughan, describing how warning signs are ignored when their impact isn’t immediately catastrophic. In 2019, after a social worker’s home was set on fire, allegedly by a client, I witnessed the culture of silence firsthand. The Social Worker was deeply impacted by the situation, yet was told not to share her experience with others.  In order for Social Worker’s to be safe, they need to know about these situations so they can take steps to stay safe.  When I was removed from my position, I received a letter instructing me not to speak about what had happened to me. These responses highlight a culture, where organizations avoid addressing these issues for fear of the work involved in finding real solutions.

I was fired for speaking out. I shared my story with over 50 government officials, police, and colleagues, exposing the truth about workplace safety and the real-life working conditions of Social Workers. By breaking the unwritten code of silence, I was punished, while others were rewarded for staying quiet.  Remember the social worker that reported what I experienced was a “normal” meeting? This culture of silence must end if we are to protect the safety and well-being of both social workers and the families they serve and all helping professions that are facing violence in their workplaces.