Mental health nurses in the UK are ten times more likely to be assaulted than general nurses. Research on this is increasing, but evidence on the effects of violence on staff witnesses is lacking. Ten semi-structured interviews with witnesses were conducted. In addition to the known effects on those who experience assault, analysis revealed anger, fear and guilt, leaving them seeking resolution on five identified themes relating to personal and professional conflict. Witnesses of violence were drawn towards informal forums for support, reinforcing perceptions of management as uncaring. Further research into psychiatric nurses’ lived experience of debrief and support in the workplace is needed.