Victim Empowerment centre able and ready to assist

The Polokwane Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP) is ready to assist victims of any form of abuse during the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign.
The VEP is located at the Polokwane Police Station and offers victim-friendly rooms where they can make statements in a safe space within a non-threatening environment.
According to the guidelines of the programme, a victim is any person who has suffered physical, mental or emotional harm, including economic loss or substantial impairment of their fundamental rights through crime and may include a victim of abuse of power by authorities.
As part of the 16-day campaign, the VEP centre will host a number of roadshows, including door-to-door visits to educate the community on the need for activism around cases against women and children.
Project manager Regina Mailula says they need to ensure that victims are treated with fairness and respect in private, with no form of discrimination.
“Victim-friendly service is where the dignity and rights of the victims are protected, and the victim is empowered and not subjected to secondary victimisation by the inefficiency of the members of the criminal justice system.”
She says during this period they will be offering emotional and practical support while also providing information and referring victims to the relevant professional support service when necessary.
Mailula emphasised that victims also have rights that need to be upheld such as the right to information, protection and assistance from the police.
“If a victim is feeling unsafe, they have the right to be placed in witness protection or apply for a protection order to ensure their safety.”
Mailula says any victim can walk into the station and ask to be taken to the VEP, where they can get assistance.

Story: Umpha Manenzhe