Open Door launches support programme
Neighborhood watch patrollers, who are generally first to arrive at the scene of an incident, will be receiving basic victim support training.
THE Open Door Crisis Centre in Pinetown will be establishing a Victim Support Programme aimed at Neighbourhood Watch patrollers. According to Thora Mansfield, the centre’s director, community driven neighbourhood watches have become extremely prevalent over the last few years, and the patrollers are often first to arrive at the scene of an incident, such as a rape, murder or accident.
Last year the centre dealt with 122 cases of adult rape and 330 cases of child rape.
“It makes sense to train the patrollers in victim support, as they could be the first person to deal with a victim after the crime. People who have experienced trauma are extremely sensitive and vulnerable. If dealt with incorrectly their healing process could be negatively effected. Training the patrollers will prevent them from causing secondary trauma to the victim or destroying evidence,” said Mansfield.
The patrollers would receive basic crisis management training, victim support training, as well as training on how to secure the scene, and accurate and confidential record keeping.
ADT Security has supported the initiative by donating torches, first aid kits, identification badges and reflective jackets to the value of R8 255. Rian Buys, the community development manager of ADT, said, “It is a good cause, which we feel would make a tremendous difference in the surrounding communities, and we are firm believers in supporting such initiatives”.
In the past the local NPO has only trained volunteer community workers in victim support.
