The victim-friendly service at Kuils River police is coordinated by Sgt Nicolette Willemse working under direct command of the visible policing commander Lt Col Nokwanda Harmans.
Police personnel are guided on victim empowerment by a national instruction of the police.
It defines victim-friendly service as “a service where the dignity and rights of 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.
“The four basic elements of victim empowerment are: emotional support, practical support, providing information, and referral to professional support services.”
Kuils River police spokesperson WO Liesel Beukes said the local police “provide a professional, accessible and sensitive service to victims of crime and violence during the reporting and investigation of crime. This is done by rendering a victim-friendly service at the police station.”
A victim-friendly room is available at the police station where statements can be taken from traumatised and vulnerable victims.
“It provides a facility for victim support by volunteers from the community to assist victims of crime and violence. These services include practical support, emotional support, and information regarding the criminal investigation process,” Beukes said.
“The volunteers have been trained in debriefing and provide services that complement or enhance police services to the community. We urge our community to utilise this service,” Beukes said.
