Mending hearts at Umhlali SAPS trauma centre

A new group of women have joined hands with Umhlali SAPS, volunteering as trauma counsellors.

Umhlali SAPS captain Vinny Pillay who heads up the unit said the station was short of trauma counsellors and the cases where victims needed assistance were growing.

Ten women have joined the force and are currently being trained in HIV counselling and first aid.

“Trauma counsellors are seen as the support system of the station as they are the ones who help victims of crime get through the trauma. It is a tough job and not everyone can stick it out because they are sometimes called out during odd hours of the morning or night for emergency cases. These women are true heroes.”

One of the counsellors Faith Govender, said it was her passion to help people overcome such difficulties.

“We speak to victims of rape, domestic abuse, and traumatic events and sometimes it is so hard to see what they are going through.

“There have been times where we have talked people out of killing themselves and in doing so, we motivate them to start their lives afresh.”

She said they saw many women who were trapped in abusive relationships because they did not know their rights and they empowered them to leave.

In cases such as drownings Govender said they would send as many volunteers as possible so that they could help the many eyewitnesses deal with the trauma of the event.

“We all are here to be of service to those who need us and it is great to now have a big team because that means someone will always be available.”

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