Crime victims have been urged to seek psychological assistance after traumatic experiences.
The Victim Support Unit of the Linden Community Policing Forum has encouraged members of the public to utilise their voluntary service after facing a crime incident. Di Constable of the unit explained that victims of crime are usually in a state of disbelief and shock and that the police have a responsibility to offer counselling, which they do. Constable said, “During counselling, these issues are dealt with in the peaceful setting of the Victim Support Room by qualified counsellors whose aim it is to both educate and work through the issues confronting the victim. This is done in a non-judgmental, non-confrontational manner so victims can eventually come to a place of knowledge and peace and are able to come to terms with what has happened to them without diminishing the seriousness of the incident.”
She added that victims are known to experience and display both physical and psychological symptoms after a crime which may be intrusive and frightening. Constable encouraged victims of crime to seek help either from a Victim Support Unit or from other professionals who deal with such trauma.
The unit is responsible for attending to the emotional and psychological needs of crime victims in the Linden Policing Precinct, said they are open to assisting victims of various crimes. “We attend to crime victims of armed/house robberies, suicide, unnatural deaths and carjacking this could include abductions. We respond to any scene of the crime when notified by police on the scene.”
The unit also shared some advice with bystanders, onlookers and eyewitnesses at crime scenes and incidents. Constable said, “They [bystanders, onlookers and eyewitnesses] should avoid injecting themselves in the crime scene as this should be preserved for investigation by the police. For their own safety, they should leave the crime scene unless they were witnesses to it. in which case they should seek out a police officer who may wish to take down their witness statement.”
She added that if you have witnessed a crime, contact the police first then emergency services units and local policing, safety and security structures in the area such as the CPF.
Details: Linden CPF Victim Support Unit 065 957 5996.
