Workplace Violence Is Rising — And Leaders Must Act Now
By Frank Costa, President, Nexgen Protection Services
Recent workplace safety research shows a clear upward trend in violence on the job that impacts employees across industries — from hospitality to healthcare and beyond. According to the 2025 Employee Survey Report on Workplace Violence and Safety, 30% of U.S. workers reported witnessing violence against coworkers (up from 25% in 2024), and 15% said they were directly targeted themselves — both figures showing a year-over-year increase. This trend underscores the reality that workplace violence is not only more common, it’s impacting employee wellbeing and organizational culture.
Violence at work can take many forms: physical assaults, threats, harassment, and aggressive behavior — whether between coworkers, with clients/customers, or even from outside actors. High-exposure sectors like hospitality and healthcare report particularly elevated rates of incidents.
So, what can leaders do?
- Prioritize Prevention over Reaction
Invest in comprehensive training that helps employees recognize, de-escalate, and report potential threats. Prevention must be part of the culture — not just a compliance checklist. - Improve Reporting Systems
Ensure reporting is anonymous, accessible, and non-retaliatory so employees feel safe speaking up. - Tailor Strategies to Your Workplace
Different environments pose different risks. In customer-facing roles, equip staff with conflict de-escalation training; in healthcare, integrate safety teams and early threat assessments. - Support Employee Wellbeing
Violence at work affects mental health and retention. Offer support resources and foster psychological safety alongside physical safety.
Workplace safety isn’t just HR policy — it’s a business imperative. Proactive leadership can make all the difference in keeping employees safe, respected, and able to thrive.
Reference (APA 7th ed.)
Traliant. (2025). 2025 Employee Survey Report on Workplace Violence and Safety. https://www.traliant.com/resources/2025-workplace-violence-report/
#WorkplaceSafety #EmployeeWellbeing #Leadership #HR #ViolencePrevention #OrganizationalCulture #SafetyFirst #RiskManagement
When a child goes missing, every second counts—
When a child goes missing, every second counts—and understanding how they were taken can shape how we respond.
Frank Costa, President, Nexgen Protection Services
In “Understanding the Three Types of Abductions” published by Pursuit Magazine, abductions are categorized into three primary types:
- Family Abductions – Often tied to custody disputes, these cases may appear less urgent but can escalate quickly, especially when there is a history of domestic violence.
- Acquaintance Abductions – The child knows the offender (coach, neighbor, online contact). These cases require rapid relational mapping and digital footprint analysis.
- Stranger Abductions – Statistically rare but high-risk. These demand immediate multi-agency coordination, media activation, and geographic profiling.
Understanding these distinctions is not academic—it’s operational.
Strategic Support for Law Enforcement (LE):
- Family Abductions: Prioritize custody documentation, prior threats, financial tracing, and border alerts. Early court coordination is key.
• Acquaintance Abductions: Deploy victimology analysis, social network mapping, and device forensics immediately. Time-sensitive digital evidence often breaks these cases.
• Stranger Abductions: Launch rapid response protocols—AMBER Alerts, surveillance canvassing, vehicle data analysis, and behavioral profiling.
Cross-sector collaboration (NGOs, digital platforms, advocacy groups) enhances speed and intelligence flow in all three categories.
The takeaway? Categorization drives strategy. Strategy drives recovery.
The more precisely we understand the type of abduction, the more effectively we can align investigative resources—and bring someone home.
Reference (APA 7th ed.)
Pursuit Magazine. (n.d.). Understanding the three types of abductions. https://www.pursuitmag.com/
#MissingPersons #ChildSafety #LawEnforcement #PublicSafety #Investigations #AMBERAlert #CrisisResponse #ForensicLeadership
Safe and Successful Festivals
Frank Costa, President, Nexgen Protection Services on safe protection —
A large, multi-day cultural festival welcomed tens of thousands of attendees for live music, food, and community experiences. With high crowd density and extended event hours, organizers partnered with protection services to ensure a safe, well-managed, and enjoyable environment for all guests.
Protection services were integrated into event planning from the outset. Crowd flow management strategies were designed to reduce congestion at entrances, stages, and high-traffic areas. Officers and event staff worked together to guide foot traffic, maintain clear emergency lanes, and adjust layouts in real time as crowd volumes shifted.
Protection services also coordinated closely with first-aid teams, emergency medical services, and local authorities. Medical response points were clearly marked, and officers were trained to identify signs of distress, enabling rapid assistance during heat-related incidents or minor injuries. This coordination ensured swift care without disrupting performances or guest experience.
A key focus was proactive communication with festivalgoers. Protection officers engaged guests through friendly interactions, provided directions and assistance, and shared safety information when needed. This approachable presence encouraged cooperation and early reporting of concerns, helping prevent issues before they escalated.
The festival concluded with record attendance and very low rates of serious injury or crime. Attendee feedback highlighted feeling safe, supported, and well-informed throughout the event, while organizers praised the seamless integration of protection services into festival operations.
Results:
- High attendance with minimal safety incidents
- Efficient crowd movement and emergency access
- Rapid medical response and issue resolution
- Positive guest experience maintained
Key takeaway:
When protection services prioritize planning, communication, and collaboration, large festivals can deliver memorable experiences in safe, welcoming environments.
#EventSecurity #FestivalSafety #PublicSafety #CrowdManagement #ProtectiveServices #RiskManagement #CommunityEvents #SecurityLeadership
