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Paramedic's Plea: Stop the Christmas Death Threats
22 Dec
Summary
- Paramedic faces frequent death threats, especially at Christmas.
- Nearly half of London Ambulance Service staff report sexual harassment.
- Consistent sentencing urged for those attacking emergency workers.
A dedicated paramedic, Emily Jackson, 31, is contemplating leaving her profession due to an alarming increase in death threats, which intensify around the Christmas period. She highlights that alcohol and drug-fueled incidents contribute significantly to the abuse faced by emergency service employees. Jackson's experience includes a violent encounter where she was punched and threatened with rape and murder.
A recent survey by the London Ambulance Service revealed that 44% of staff endured sexual harassment, and 53% faced violent attacks from patients or the public. Drugs and alcohol are implicated in approximately 40% of these violent incidents. In response, the service has initiated the 'All we want for Christmas is... RESPECT' campaign.
Jackson and her colleagues advocate for stricter, more consistent sentencing for individuals who abuse emergency workers, arguing that current punishments are often too lenient and fail to deter future assaults. They emphasize that such abuse is not an acceptable part of the job and should be treated with greater severity.
