Witnesses link rising assaults to unmet basic needs and call for full implementation of violence-prevention program
Frontline staff reported a steep increase in physical assaults over recent fiscal years and tied that trend to lack of hygiene supplies, HVAC failures, and limited therapeutic activities. Disability Rights DC and hospital psychologists urged full deployment of a contracted violence-prevention, trauma-informed program.
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Frontline staff gave detailed accounts tying increased patient aggression to systemic failures in basic services and staffing. Hans Thomas cited hospital assault counts increasing from 386 (FY23) to 471 (FY24) to 600 (FY25) and said that shortages of soap, HVAC failures, and limited access to therapeutic activities were drivers of escalating incidents.
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