MELBOURNE, December 30, 2025 03:19:00 —
Paramedics are facing an increasing number of violent assaults, including sexual assault, while on the job, prompting calls for increased safety measures.
- Paramedics are experiencing a rise in both the frequency and severity of assaults.
- A female paramedic was sexually assaulted by a patient on December 27.
- Emergency workers describe the current level of violence as the worst they have seen in decades.
Emergency medical personnel are facing a surge in violent attacks, with a recent incident involving sexual assault highlighting the escalating danger of the job, according to reports from Australia. The increasing frequency and severity of these assaults are raising serious concerns among paramedics and prompting calls for greater protection.
Growing Concerns Over Assaults
On December 27, a patient sexually assaulted a female paramedic, continuing the unwanted touching even after additional crew members arrived, according to reports. This incident is part of a disturbing trend, with officials reporting 10 serious offenses against paramedics within a three-day period.
“In a three-day window, we had 10 very serious offences perpetrated against our paramedics, which has caused us today to step out as an organisation and as regional leaders to say: Enough is enough,” said Gorman, whose full name and title were not provided in the source.
The severity of the assaults is particularly alarming. Gorman, with 30 years of emergency work experience, stated, “It’s the worst I’ve ever seen it in 30 years of emergency work.” She added that she has been physically injured during her career, including having her wrist broken, and being spat on and punched, but the current situation is unprecedented.
A Global Epidemic
Gorman described violence against emergency workers as a “global epidemic.” While patients are often the perpetrators, Burns, whose full name and title were not provided in the source, noted that bystanders and relatives are increasingly involved in aggressive incidents.
Paramedic Luke Harrington, who has been in the profession for seven years, said that experiencing violence is unfortunately a part of the job. “I wish that I could say that this was the first time it’s happened to me, but almost an identical situation happened about 18 months ago,” he said, recalling an incident where a stranger spat on him through a car window.
“I got into this job to help people on their worst day … which is why it’s even more disappointing that this stuff happens,” Harrington added.
“It’s the worst I’ve ever seen it in 30 years of emergency work,” said Gorman, highlighting the severity of the current situation.
The trend and severity of the assaults are “grossly concerning,” according to Burns.
Time.news based this report in part on reporting by The Age and added independent analysis and context.
