The hypotheses were that care-workers would rate sexual assaults to be more serious than physical assaults, rate the perpetrators of sexual assaults to be more dangerous and express less sympathy toward them; and that female care-workers would rate both types of assault to be more serious, perceive the perpetrators to be more dangerous, and express less sympathy, compared to their male counterparts. Male and female residential care-workers were asked to rate their responses to vignettes that described either a physical or sexual assault. Vignettes and accompanying questionnaires were distributed to 60 care-workers divided into four groups according to gender and type of assault. Results supported the hypothesis that sexual assaults are perceived to be more serious than physical assaults and the perpetrators of sexual assaults to be more dangerous. Gender differences in attitudes were also found, with female care- workers perceiving a greater difference between the seriousness of sexual and physical assault than male care-workers. Female care-workers also rated the perpetrators of either type of assault to be more dangerous than did male care-workers. This study shows that professionals hold different attitudes toward sexual and physical assaults and that gender is an important factor that influences attitudes toward perpetrators of violent assault. It is of interest and practical importance for future studies to understand the emotional impact and attitudes elicited when working with perpetrators of violence, both in terms of their influence on clinical case work and in determining the personal needs, training, and supervision that should be offered to support professionals engaged in this work. 1 table and 9 references