On the 26th August the 3rd Victim Empowerment Centre was opened at God’s Acre in Heidelberg. The first Victim Empowerment Centre was opened in Itsose Primary School, Sharpeville in 2009 and the second one at Barrage in August 2010.
The victim centres aim to bridge the gap between the police and the community. The various centres have been set up in partnership with the community policing forum to cater for victims of crime, especially women and children affected by domestic and child abuse, child neglect and other crimes against women and children. The centres recruit volunteers from the community and provide them with a two day training programme.
“There’s a need for community based organisations and victim support centres of this nature to be utilised as an overnight reception for victim of crime, offering a 24 hour, 7 days a week service to victims”, says Keresa Moonsamy one of the coordinators.
The centres will be used as a tool for bringing awareness to the community, and to encourage victims to break the silence against abuse. Various programmes and activities will be presented throughout the year.
For information on these centres please call Peter Kele on 082 805 7966
All the Victim Empowerment Centres / Victim Friendly Facilities are manned by the police stations in those respective areas.
|
