Join Business Against Crime to support victims

MBOMBELA – BAC acts as the liaison between the private sector and government to implement crime reduction programmes all over South Africa.

Yvette du Toit, BAC branch manager in Mpumalanga, explained that one of their provincial focuses was victim-support services.

“We are aiming to improve the support services at priority police stations in the province by improving the functioning of victim-friendly facilities,” she said.

This pertains to the facilities available to victims when they report a crime or a death such as a drowning to their police stations, including furniture, privacy, trained staff and ensuring information is accurately recorded in the occurrence book.

“Drownings are not a crime, but the families left behind are also in need of support when they report it,” Du Toit explained.

The priority stations identified are Masoyi and Pilgrim’s Rest, Verena in KwaMhlanga cluster, Schoemansdal and Kamhlushwa in Tonga cluster as well as Badplaas in Ermelo, Trichardt in Secunda, Sakhile and Daggakraal in Standerton, Belfast and Dirkiesdorp.

Du Toit noted that the identified stations did not always have the physical structures required, but rendered services from alternative rooms located nearby, and this needed to be addressed.

Another provincial project focus was the creation of an integrated crime impact management vehicle, through which best practices could be shared and a higher level of expertise accessed.

“There are many benefits for businesses that support the projects,” she said. “It improves the social fabric of the community at large, makes a positive impact on economic development, and helps to shape the country’s crime prevention strategies.

“It is also tax deductible, counts towards one’s BBBEE scorecard, and helps businesses spend their corporate social investment projects on sustainable projects.”

To get involved in any of the BAC’s projects, contact Du Toit on 084-469-4928 or yvette@bac.org.za.

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