BSW students were surveyed at the beginning and end of the field practicum to ascertain their concerns regarding and actual experiences with risks to their personal safety in the field placement. Results indicated that the most common sources of anxiety, both at the start and the end of the placement, were the students' clients, work in the evenings, and home visits. A significant proportion of the respondents reported actually being threatened by a client at least once while in the placement. Strategies that appear to be most useful in reducing students' anxieties include discussions with the field instructor, fellow students, and the faculty liaison, as well as training in how to respond to potentially dangerous situations. Students' actual experiences with clients also were instrumental in reducing their anxieties.