Crime victims a priority at station
These rooms have been established to assist victims of crime, especially women, children and the elderly.
LYDENBURG – As part of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, two DA members of parliament took it upon themselves to visit the local police station to ensure that it had victim-friendly rooms and that everything that was required to assist victims of crime, was in order.
These rooms have been established to assist victims of crime, especially women, children and the elderly.
DA members of parliament, Ms Sonja Boshoff and Mr Farhad Essack spent the day reviewing the victim-support room.
During their visit they discovered there was only one of these rooms.
“When the station has two victims of opposite sex, it is impossible to keep them in one room, especially if they are rape victims,” said Boshoff.
There is no toilet either. “As they walk through the passages they meet people and they need their privacy,” she added.
According to Boshoff the police station also has a few other things to improve – it needs educational toys and volunteers.
Some of the SAPS staff members are trained on how to deal with crime victims.
There is a private room to interview victims with sensitive cases, transport, and the room is clean and comfortable.
Station commander Col Hans Putter said that he was working with the relevant department to allow the station to use an SAPS state house as a victim unit.
“When they grant us permission to use the house, the victims will have enough rooms and also privacy. The house is close to the station,” said Putter.
