1 Workplace violence –Extending the Boundaries of Criminology

There is a growing body of research concerned with the prevalence, antecedents and impacts of interpersonal workplace violence which causes significant psycho-social injuries. Contributions have been made by sociologists, psychologists, organisational behaviourists and management functionalists. However there has been a paucity of attention by criminological theorists or empiricists despite the well documented costs for victims, bystanders, employers and the public purse. Drawing from key themes within existing literature, this paper applies constructive criminology principles and normalisation theory to extend the understanding of interpersonal violence within the workplace and challenges to prevention. This is not an argument for greater application of criminal law but rather an argument that such violence and consequent psycho-social injuries be recognised as a source of victimisation and a matter of justice. Key Words: workplace violence, constructive criminology, discursive practice