Victim Support Unit serves Mondeor
The function of the VSU is to help people overcome shock and/or trauma after a traumatic event
TRAUMA has become a daily occurrence in the lives of many South Africans.
People are frequently exposed to trauma – either directly or indirectly (via media) – such as muggings, car hijackings, armed robberies, rape, assault, vehicle accidents, burglaries, suicides or natural disasters.
The Victim Support Unit (VSU), serving Mondeor Sector One (suburbs being Bassonia, Glenvista, Glenanda, Mulbarton and Liefde en Vrede), provides emotional support and practical help to victims of crime and other traumatic incidents on a free and confidential basis.
VSU members also often render services in surrounding areas where there are no VSU units, such as Kibler Park, Oakdene, Linmeyer, etc. The VSU is not part of the police or justice system and victims do not have to report the crime in order to receive the VSU’s support.
When a traumatic incident occurs in the area, the usual course of events is as follows:
- Most residents belong to various WhatsApp groups for various areas/streets. All residents are encouraged to participate freely. Crime or suspected crime or suspicious vehicles/individuals are frequently reported, because residents are generally vigilant.
- When an incident occurs, the first place it is reported to is usually the Mondeor SAPS, a community WhatsApp group, a security company, or by phone to the Community Policing Forum (CPF).
- SAPS, private security and CPF patrollers will immediately be dispatched when an incident is reported. If the circumstances are of such a nature that trauma is evident, the CPF patroller will offer VSU assistance.
- If accepted, the CPF will inform the VSU and, as per regulation, two VSU members will respond and reach a scene within about half an hour, but often much sooner. The CPF and SAPS will ensure that the scene is secured before the VSU members enter.
The volunteers who are members of this Victim Support Unit, as a result of the work they do, are always involved in traumatic events which have varying degrees of seriousness.
The volunteers are individuals who wish to serve their community and to make a difference. It is a rewarding experience for them.
The function of the VSU is to help people overcome shock and/or trauma after a traumatic event, and debriefing is a valuable tool.
A common response after a traumatic event is the feeling of loss of control over the victim’s own life. A trauma debriefing appears to curtail after-effects and prevent adverse reactions, by giving the victim back the perception and experience of control over his/her life. VSU members do not attempt to provide counselling – in more serious cases, they recommend that the victim seeks professional counselling.
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