Top-quality trauma counselling

DOUGLASDALE – The Victim Support Unit for Douglasdale police was recognised by a highly-ranked official in the relevant department in the Gauteng police, as one of the best in the province.

Brenda Shabalala, Victim Empowerment Centre coordinator for the Gauteng police’s Department of Community Safety, said on 30 June, “The Douglasdale Victim Empowerment Centre is one of the best VECs in the Honeydew Cluster as well as the Gauteng Province. It is led by a team of dedicated members… who are dedicated at rendering services in assisting the community of Douglasdale. I [am] pleased with the functionality of the VEC. A job well done to the VEC team.”

Carol Badenhorst, head trauma counsellor for the unit, explained why the unit was regarded so highly.

Seven volunteer trauma counsellors operate at the police station in Fourways in a parkhome provided by Sasfin Bank, and decorated by Mr Price Home, to establish what Badenhorst calls a “warm and homely environment”.

The counsellors are continually trained and supervised by a clinical psychologist, to ensure they fulfill their role of empowering victims to take back control of their lives after a traumatic experience, by helping with the healing process.

The unit offers up to three free counselling sessions to victims of any crime.

They have a 24-hours seven-days-per-week phone line for victim support, and sometimes even visit crime scenes shortly after crimes take place to make contact with, and counsel, victims, though this is rarely required.

Why do they do this?

“People must know there is help out there. They should not suffer trauma for the rest of their lives,” Badenhorst said.

Details: Douglasdale Victim Support Unit 24-hour number 078 850 2341.