Victorian paramedics to wear cameras to help counter assaults

VICTORIAN paramedics will wear cameras to protect them from spiralling rates of assault as they are confronted with 13 violent call-outs each day.

Shelly Brown was attacked by a patient. Picture: Josie Hayden

VICTORIAN paramedics will wear cameras to protect them from spiralling rates of assault as they are confronted with 13 violent call-outs each day.

The body cameras will be provided to Ambulance Victoria crews working in the most violent hot spots, including the CBD.

Vision recorded by uniform-mounted cameras will be used for investigations and prosecutions against people who assault paramedics.

In the past year, paramedics attended more than 5000 emergency cases where they were exposed to violence or aggression. The cameras are being rolled out in a $500,000 trial under the Andrews Government’s Health Service Violence Prevention Fund.

Health Minister Jill Hennessy said threats, abuse and assaults against paramedics were unacceptable.

“Sadly, more and more paramedics are confronted by violence while they are doing their job saving lives,” she said.

While trying to help a drunk woman after she was booted out of a western suburbs pub recently, paramedic Shelly Brown, 34, was punched in the face and slapped despite police being present.

“They will help us feel safe, especially in the city. If people know they are being recorded, hopefully they will be fettered from hitting, kicking, spitting and abusing us as we just try to go about our job,” she said.