Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Increasing urban violence exposes bank workers to traumatic situations in the work environment. OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the perceptions of bank workers about their robbery and/or kidnapping experiences and the aftercare they received. METHODS: This qualitative study involved in-depth interviews with 7 workers from a public banking institution in 4 states in the northeastern region of Brazil who victims of kidnappings or robberies. RESULTS: Their experiences were classified into 2 thematic categories: the dynamics of the event and the perception of aftercare actions. CONCLUSIONS: The violent experiences caused significant and lingering suffering and trauma among the participants. They reported that the aftercare was limited and needs improvement. Caring for bank workers who have been victims of assault and kidnapping can prevent or minimize their resultant psychosocial suffering.