New York Therapist Kathryn Faughey Murdered

Many occupations are considered to be dangerous, in which you would encounter people who might want to attack you for one reason or another, but you may not think that being a psychologist would be one of them. But what happened Tuesday evening in a psychologist's office in the Upper East Side of Manhattan points out that indeed it can be very dangerous. Prominent psychologist Kathryn Faughey was brutally murdered in what could be a scene from a horror movie, being hacked to death by someone whom police believe to be one of her own patients, and who, as of this moment, is still at large.

When you think about it, psychologists deal with people every day who are at the end of their rope in one way or the other and you never know how and when that rope will snap. While attacks against doctors, politicians and such do happen, they are few and far between, not to say they are any the less tragic than those that happen to people in occupations that are known to re retaliated against.

For instance, according to the US Department of Labor, murder is the forth highest cause of workplace deaths. Shocking, isn't it? The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety lists the top at risk occupations as health care employees, correctional officers, social services employees, teachers, municipal housing inspectors, public works employees, and retail employees. While attacks against police, politicians and judges get more publicity, they are not at the top of the list.

Think about it. Health care employees come into contact with all types of people who are under all types of stress. I know a corrections officer, and from the stories he told, this is no surprise. The same goes for social service workers. People are trying to get help and because of red tape and not anything the workers do, it takes time. The workers are the ones they see and the ones they strike out against. Those who have to inspect public housing are in a bad position also, especially if they have to do an unpleasant task like an eviction. Those who work in the public sector, like those who repair the roads, are subject to things like road rage from commuters who are going to be late getting to work or home. And lastly the retail workers, who are the ones who are the most victims of hold ups.

Violence can strike in any part of our work day world, from the jobs where you need a PHD, to the high school student trying to make some extra money so they can have a shot at a degree themselves. And it is impossible to predict just when a violent incident will happen.

Sources:
Newsday
Department of Labor
The Canadian Centre for Occupational health and Safety