This book makes a key contribution to the growing literature on workplace violence examining and comparing four of the most violence-prone occupations - the police; accident and emergency staff; social workers; and mental health professionals. It identifies similarities and differences between these occupations that are far from intuitive. It will examine the diversity of experiences that shelter under the concept of 'violence and threats'; promote the importance of the 'moral dimension' in experiences of violence; analyze the impact of appearance and reputation in creating fear; discuss the importance of context in creating a sense of menace; and conclude by considering the practical implications of this research for handling violence and managing those who have suffered it.