St John WA has revealed a troubling 11.9 percent rise in violence and aggression towards its paramedic staff in 2025, leading the organization to launch a new safety campaign titled 'We Shouldn't Have To Say It.' This initiative aims to raise awareness and prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. The report highlights that in total, 442 incidents were documented, with 35 cases resulting in injuries sustained by frontline workers.

The safety campaign features testimony from patient transfer officer Rebecca Thompson, who shared her own traumatic encounters while on duty. Thompson's experiences underscore the emotional toll these incidents take on paramedics, illustrating that the threat of violence is an unsettling part of their daily work. Her story is part of a larger narrative that many health care workers face, struggling to perform their duties under the looming threat of aggression, often compounded by factors such as drug and alcohol influences.

Incredibly, more than half of the incidents reported involved individuals under the influence of drugs or alcohol, leading to a significant burden on ambulance services. Moreover, more than a third of the assaults necessitated urgent police attendance, indicating the severe risks not only to paramedics but also to public safety in general. This rise in aggression against medical personnel raises questions about community safety and the protections afforded to those who serve on the front lines of emergency care.