Paramedic Attacked: 'Thought it was a knife'

A volunteer paramedic's experience highlights the dangers faced by emergency workers. Emily Hilton, 24, was sexually assaulted by a patient last March in Cardiff after responding to an emergency call about a man who had fallen. The patient became verbally abusive before grabbing Hilton and attempting to kiss her, causing her to fear for her safety. Hilton, who has volunteered for three years, stated the assault left her questioning her desire to continue in the role and significantly impacted her confidence. The Welsh Ambulance Service reported approximately 3,000 assaults against emergency workers in Wales between June 2023 and June 2024. Craig Burgess, 48, was found guilty of sexual assault and received a community order, a fine, and was placed on the sex offenders register for five years. Efforts to combat such abuse include increased custodial sentences and public awareness campaigns like 'With Us, Not Against Us'.