As used in this chapter, staff violence refers to staff behaviors that cause physical, psychological, or economic harm to patients and their families. The focus of the chapter is on particularly vulnerable victims--the aged and mentally ill--and the staff who provide direct services to them. The chapter discusses the causes of staff violence against patients, the methods they use to inflict harm, and the extent of the problem. A four-step model is proposed for addressing this problem: conciliation and civil, disciplinary, and criminal action. Conciliation involves resolving complaints with an apology, corrective action, or a voluntary payment that reflects the harm done to the victim. Civil action involves using the legal system to force changes in behavior or the payment of compensation for wrongs committed by another party. Disciplinary action refers to punitive actions by professional organizations against members of their profession because of a violation of the ethical and moral norms promulgated in the profession. Criminal action can be taken when the staff harms to a patient violate a criminal law. Such action is appropriate when intentional or seriously neglectful staff behavior causes death or serious physical harm to the patient. 54 references