Police stations are generally visited by people who have had a negative experience.
If you have been a victim of a hijacking or house robbery, or have suffered a sexual assault or rape, you will need to go to the police station.
The South African Police Service describes a victim as ‘a person who suffered physical, mental or emotional harm, including economic loss or substantial impairment of their fundamental rights through crime and may include a victim of an abuse of power by authorities’.
It further states that ‘the SAPS must provide a professional, accessible and sensitive service to you the victim of crime and/or violence when you report the case, and also during the investigation of crime’.
Two stations of excellence
Fairland and Linden are two police stations that excel when it comes to supporting victims through their Victim Support Units (VSU) which fall under their respective CPFs.
They both have dedicated and excellent victim support volunteers who go out of their way to assist victims, emotionally and practically and with guidance and care. Both stations have dedicated safe spaces at their stations away from the glare of the public and busy charge office areas to ensure privacy and discretion when taking statements and other necessary tasks.
Sally Röthemeyer, who heads up the Fairland CPF team said, “Our main roles are attending to victims one-on-one within the ‘first two golden hours’ of a crime or trauma being experienced. Research shows that this is the most effective time to help prevent secondary trauma,” she said.
“If victims require specialist attention beyond what we can offer, we are able to refer them on to an appropriate professional who can assist them. Our team involves themselves in a variety of crime-related incidents such as domestic violence, suicides, child abuse, GBV [gender-based violence], kidnapping, business robberies, home invasions and more.”
She added they offered solace in incidents involving fatalities and in many of these cases, follow-up visits were required. “So we are not only there at the time of an incident but also after the fact when secondary trauma is likely to set in.”
Bets van Jaarsveld, team leader of the Linden CPF victim support unit, described how these selfless volunteers also supported the police while they were attending to a scene. “We assist victims to give statements to authorities, especially during traumatic cases, and can help with practical support like cancelling stolen bank cards, and blocking cellphones,” said Van Jaarsveld.
Victim support volunteers are not accessible via social media such as Facebook but are requested to lend their support to the public via the station when a crime has been committed and someone needs help. This also prevents them being called to scenes that are not safe for them to attend.
Van Jaarsveld said the men and women who stepped up to volunteer in this way have ‘a strong urge and need to give back to their communities which must always come first in this line of work’.
“These are volunteers who help people in their darkest moments who never expect a thank you and receive no pay for their efforts.”
Röthemeyer provided a brief overview of the support offered by VSU members:
- All work is done confidentially and with great care.
- The immediate physical and psychological needs of a victim are assessed.
- Victims are empowered with support and relevant information to help them.
- Liaising with SAPS and assisting the victim to work within the criminal justice system.
- Follow-ups with victims as needed if the case goes to court by accompanying the victim as one example.
- Referrals after the first call-out to appropriate departments for any medical problems or injuries, to specialists such as social workers, religious leaders, or psychologists.
- It is important to note that these volunteers are not trauma councillors themselves. They are first responders but have received extensive training in all aspects of crime, mental illness, domestic violence, and trauma.
- The ultimate aim of all engagements is to encourage resilience in victims as we walk beside them and empower them.
- At Fairland for example, two of their team members Dr Martin Kassen and Dr Sally Röthemeyer also deal with completing any necessary medico-legal certificates and documents required which are especially important in cases of child victims. The Fairland CPF chairperson Dr Gulam Karim is also available to provide any medical assistance should the need arise.
Volunteers are always needed
Both stations are always looking to expand their teams with like-minded individuals who serve their communities in a truly unique way, but it’s a big commitment with volunteers needing to commit themselves to serving for longer periods than say one-year volunteer posts in order to undergo training and performing their duties thereafter.
- Bhaai Cassim is the State Victim Support coordinator based at the Fairland CPF and can be reached on 082 443 2245.
- Bets van Jaarsveld can be contacted at Linden on 072 218 7688.
