Offering victims of crime a safe haven

Just a stone’s throw away from the entrance of the Primrose Police Station, victims of crime can seek help and guidance.

The Primrose SAPS Victim Empowerment Centre aims to help victims of crime, as well as the police.

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“We help the officers with victims who have been traumatised by crime,” explained Vanessa Smith when the GCN visited the centre recently.

“A person who has just been raped and a person who has been hijacked, for example, will both be traumatised, but in different ways and their reactions to the crimes will also be different.

“Where the rape victim may not want to be touched and will perhaps shy away from human contact, the hijacking victim may be angry and aggressive.

“It is difficult for the officers to deal with this in a charge office, with other people waiting for assistance.

“This is where we would step in, we would take the victim to a victim-friendly room where they can feel safe and calm down before going through the process of reporting the crime.”

The team may also be called to the scene of a crime to help victims cope with what has happened.

“We could be called to the scene of a house break-in where a victim has been left traumatised,” said Smith.

Smith further stated that the centre will also help the victims to find the right counselling after a crime or help with guidance or advice about case investigations and court proceedings.

“We are a bridge for the victim to get from the trauma to closure and healing,” said Smith.

“We are there to support them and be a support structure for them.

“We also deal with social elements like a mother who has found drugs in her child’s desk.”

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There have recently been changes at the centre.

“The centre was previously chaired by Hennie Steyn, who left for personal reasons, and I was voted in as interim chairperson,” explained Smith.

“He and his wife Yolanda’s resignations were a huge blow to the centre as we have so few volunteers.”

The centre now has 10 volunteers working at there.

“It changes every day though,” said Smith.

“We are all here out of our own free will and some people do not realise what volunteering involves.

“All our volunteers receive in-house training and once we know they are serious and can handle the demands they are sent for external training.”

Smith hopes to grow the volunteer numbers of the centre.

“The most important requirement is that you are willing to give your time,” said Smith.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re rich or poor or what career you are in – none of that matters to a victim.”

For more information on the Primrose SAPS Victim Empowerment Centre or if you are a victim of crime who needs assistance call the Primrose Police Station on 011 842 0500 or visit the centre at the police station in Poppy Road, Primrose.

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Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.zaor Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za or Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist) kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za

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