Alberton SAPS and Amcare go extra mile to help GBV victims
One of the offices the Alberton SAPS recently opened during the station’s rejuvenation is the Victim Friendly Room, which aims to help thousands of GBV victims with the aid of Amcare social workers.
The Alberton SAPS and Amcare recently launched a haven for GBV victims in the police station, the Victim Friendly Room (VFR).
The VFR allows victims of intimate violence (GBV, child abuse, sexual offences and domestic violence) to make their statements in private in a non-threatening environment.
Victim-friendly services are ones in which the victim’s rights and dignity are upheld, protecting victims from further victimisation.
According to the Alberton SAPS spokesperson, Captain Manare Ramotshela, GBV is a significant global impediment to development.
“It is the most severe case of gender discrimination and the most common type of violence globally, impacting the productivity and well-being of individual survivors, families, communities, and frequently even generations. This is why it is vital for us, as a station, to ensure they are treated in a unique manner that can address their needs fully.
“We partnered with Amcare because the organisation has professional social workers – they are the voice of voiceless victims. With their aid, we know for a fact that we can solve many GBV cases because victims will feel more comfortable giving all the details due to their social worker being in the room as well,” Ramotshela said.
Amcare joins hands with the Alberton SAPS
Amcare was thrilled to be part of this movement. They have put some of their social workers in the recently opened VFR in the police station permanently.
Amcare is registered with the Department of Social Development and has social workers’ offices on its premises to help the community professionally.
In the organisation, the social workers are responsible for helping to reduce human suffering, advancing social justice, and enhancing individual and community well-being, particularly GBV victims.
The manager of the Amcare social workers, Thembi Maduma, said this is a great and big move for them as an organisation because this will strengthen their power to reach out to the most vulnerable victims of GBV.
She said for GBV victims to have their matters treated with dignity is crucial. As social caregivers, they ensure the SAPS follow the appropriate measures when dealing with GBV cases.
“Our most important role is ensuring GBV cases are resolved thoroughly by the SAPS and the victims get justice without feeling threatened again by the predators. We also provide counselling to the victims to regain their confidence because, when they go through all of the victimisation, they lose their self-actualisation,” Maduma said.
Victims’ treatment at VFR
When a victim reports a crime or act of violence, the SAPS is required to treat them with professionalism, accessibility, and empathy. This requirement also applies to the time when the offence is under investigation.
Besides providing victim empowerment and helping a person to report intimate violence, the police must:
• Treat victims fairly, respectfully, and courteously; not discriminate based on anything, including race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, or outward appearance.
• Tactfully and professionally get a statement from the victim to register a crime while respecting their right to privacy. They should also fill out the required paperwork.
• Arrange for an interpreter if the member does not speak the victim’s language, and have the interview in that language.
• Be a professional SAPS officer who, if feasible, is the same gender as the victim, and do the interview.
• Help the victim find other attire to wear if the SAPS need her clothing for evidence of a sexual crime.
• Allow a victim to edit and reread their statement.
• Thoroughly investigate the matter and provide regular updates on the case’s progress.
• Inform victims about criminal justice and the police investigatory processes.
• Give guidance about preventing crime.
• Refer victims to community counselling services, medical care, and/or legal counsel, if necessary.
• Offer a victim-friendly service.
Role of community
Community members can help the police and Amcare provide victim-friendly services by being actively involved in the CPF and assisting the police with identifying such crime issues in the communities.
They can also volunteer at the VFR or victim empowerment centres in communities.
Contact details
To call the Alberton SAPS VFR for help with GBV, use these numbers: 067 095 2970, 069 238 5665, 065 813 3340 or 065 811 7266.
