The victim support unit is here for you
The 28 committed volunteers of the Alberton SAPS Victim Support Centre offer support to victims of crime 24 hours a day. If you need counselling and support free of charge contact them at 083 923 1967.
ALBERTON- The 28 committed volunteers of the Alberton SAPS Victim Support Centre offer free support and counselling to victims of crime 24 hours a day.
The volunteers, who are residents in the community, have been trained by the Department of Safety and Security and receive ongoing training in all areas of counselling and debriefing.
The Victim Support Centre is a private venue within the Alberton Police Station, that makes it more conducive for providing counselling. The volunteers respond approximately within 15 minutes and in 2014 they interacted with more than 1 500 community members.
The role of the volunteer at the scene is to help victims to understand the process of shock and that this reaction is normal.
At the Alberton Police Station the volunteers provide information, emotional and practical support, including advising the victims of their rights and informing them of the process that will follow. Counselling and debriefing does not take place at the scene of the crime and is done by a qualified volunteer in a controlled environment.
Should the victim require further intervention, the volunteer will contact one of the Alberton SAPS Victim Support Centre counsellors and advise them accordingly.
Counselling is done 36 to 72 hours after the incident and victims are referred if necessary.
The MEC portfolio committee conducted a full inspection of the unit in August, this year, and declared it operational and functioning at maximum capacity.
Victims of crime who feel they need further support or free counselling can contact the trauma centre on 083 923 1967 to make an appointment.
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