Domestic Watch addresses trauma

The prevalence of crime is a reality most South Africans face on a daily basis. There are a number of organistations created by ordinary residents to help curb the increase and effects of crime.

Founder of Making a Difference (MAD) Domestic Watch Penny Steyn hosted a Domestic Watch meeting on 21 August at the Christ Church in Blairgowrie.

During her presentation, Steyn encouraged the domestic workers that were in attendance to volunteer to be victim supporters, and explained what it means to be a victim of trauma.

“Being a victim is a result of experiencing an emotional or physical traumatic experience or someone close to you. I believe offering support to victims will make a significant difference in their everyday lives,” she said.

Patricia Lammerinks has been a victim support volunteer since 2004. “I used to be a reservist in Cape Town before I came to Johannesburg. I wanted to do something else by making a difference in peoples’ lives by being a victim supporter,” she said.

Steyn’s passion lies in making a difference in the lives of members of the SAPS and residents. This came after a group of unknown men barged into her home and assaulted her and her domestic worker at the time.

Steyn’s horrific experience inspired her to create Victim Support that helps create awareness, offers support, trains domestic workers and residents who are victims of trauma due to crime. She actively encourages anyone who has been a victim of trauma due to crime as well as volunteers to take the initiative to become a victim supporter.

The Domestic Watch programme also offers courses that train members of the SAPS in customer service and leadership.