More volunteers needed for victim support unit
RANDPARK RIDGE – Assisting victims with trauma and counselling is no easy job, but Honeydew CPF is looking for those who are up for it.
The Honeydew Community Policing Forum Victim Support Unit is looking for more volunteers to give of their time to those in need.
On 10 February, volunteers met with Honeydew Police Station’s Captain Karen Jacobs at the Community Support Services office to discuss what to do and what not to do when providing victim support.
The unit, which works in conjunction with the forum and police officers, has the specific role of being present at a crime scene to assist the victims with trauma and counseling.
The unit’s coordinator, Claudia Packman said as a volunteer one would assist at any type of crime incident. Jacobs gave a rundown of a crime scene procedure so that volunteers know what to do and what not to do.
Speaking at the meeting, Jacobs highlighted the importance of not tampering with a crime scene, keeping victims away from the scene, never offering anything more than water and to keep communicating with other responders on the scene.
Volunteers would assist directly at a crime scene, she explained, but counselling would only happen after 24 hours. Adding to this, Jacobs reminded the group to never get too emotionally involved.
“Make sure the family spends the night at another house, but never at yours. You cannot get emotionally involved.”
Assisting as a volunteer in this unit is no easy job, but if done right it can make the handling of a crime scene a lot easier. Essentially, Jacobs said the role of victim support is to simply be there for a family going through some sort of trauma, keeping them calm and protecting them from any further trauma.
Details: If you would like to volunteer for the Honeydew Community Policing Forum Victim Support Unit, contact Packman on 011 791 7917.
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