Hundreds of victims of crime have been assisted this year at the Boksburg North and the Dawn Park SAPS Victim Empowerment Centres (VECs).
The VECs at these police stations have provided support to victims of rape, domestic violence, child abuse and elderly abuse, among others.
According to Sgt Nozipho Seswike, coordinator of domestic violence at Dawn Park SAPS, the role of the VEC is to interview and counsel victims of crime in a friendly space, and if they need further assistance they are then referred to relevant professionals or centres.
“We provide emotional support. We calm the victims as well as provide information about what will happen next with regards to their complaint,” Seswike explained.
People they deal with either walk into the station or are brought in by officers from the Customer Services Centre to lodge a complaint.
Sgt Phina Matweja, VEC coordinator at the Boksburg North SAPS, said they treat every victim with dignity and their rights are protected.
“We empower victims and they are not subjected to secondary victimisation, as we treat their cases with sensitivity,” Matweja said.
She said she is working with four amazing volunteers who go the extra mile to assist victims.
“When duty calls, we leave our homes in the middle of the night to ensure the victim’s needs are taken care of,” Matweja said.
Volunteers
Three young women from Villa Liza and Windmill Park have dedicated their time to volunteer as victim supporters at the Dawn Park Police Station.
One of the volunteers, Ntsekiseng Maitisa, said her dream of wanting to be a social worker motivated her to volunteer.
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Noyolo Malangabi, also a volunteer, said as a victim supporter one needs to have passion for people, be a good listener and have empathy.
“Even though we are not paid, the fact that we can make a difference in someone’s life gives us peace. It’s always fulfilling to put a smile on someone’s face who came to our offices sad and distraught,” Malangabi said.
Contact
To find out how to become a volunteer or to make a donation, you can contact the VECs on 082 7747 614 (Boksburg North SAPS) or 079 6947 053 (Dawn Park SAPS).
Both centres operate from Monday to Friday, from 8am to 4pm.
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