Where can victims of crime get help?

Empowering victims of crime is an important aspect of policing.

At Amanzimtoti SAPS, there are trained professionals who offer various facilities that empower victims of all sorts of crimes, to effectively reinstate them back into the community.

Sergeant Nondumiso Mncwuabe, who runs the victim friendly unit at Amanzimtoti SAPS said, “Our office is generally quiet during the week, most of the cases come through over the weekend.  While I do not blame alcohol, most attacks occur when a person is intoxicated.  Last month we had eight cases that required counselling.  There is a stigma surrounding men who are victims of domestic violence, but we do get cases from men as well.”

Every individual is different and requires different care to aid their well-being.  Any victim of a crime is welcome to visit the facility for counselling.

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Tips for victims of sexual crimes

• Do not shower before going to the police station
• Do not wash your underwear that you were wearing
• Go to the nearest clinic
• Remember any key features of the suspect

What is domestic violence

• sexual abuse (whether you are married to the other person or not)
• physical abuse or assault (for example, slapping, biting, kicking, and threats of physical violence)
• damage to property or anything you value
• stalking (when the other person follows or approaches you or your children repeatedly)
• economic abuse, that is, when the other person keeps money to which you are legally entitled from you in an unreasonable manner by – refusing to pay or share the rent or mortgage bond for the home you share or disposing of any property (household goods) in which you have interest, without your permission, emotional abuse (that is, degrading or humiliating behaviour, including repeated insults, belittling, cursing and threats)
• any other controlling or abusive behaviour which poses a threat to your safety, health or well-being.

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