The Linden Police Victim Support Unit is looking for translators to volunteer.
These volunteers will be on standby and called in when there is a victim who cannot speak English. They are looking for volunteers that speak Portuguese, Chinese, French, Urdu which is a Pakistan language, Ibo which is a Nigerian language and sign language.
“Victims that cannot speak English feel free and open up more when they are being addressed in their mother tongue,” said Linden Police spokesperson, Captain Alex Vermaak.
People who would like to volunteer to translate in any of these languages can contact Lieutenant Colonel Hellen Harmse at 011 888 9237.
The victim support unit is a group of 20 volunteers that is divided into two, the victim support group and the trauma counselling group. These volunteers are not employed by the police station– they volunteer their time and resources to help people who are going through shock and trauma due to crime.
Bev Boswell, coordinator of the Victim Support Unit said, “The Linden Police and CPF work closely with the victim support group, whose volunteers are available 24 hours a day.”
She said that the unit is mainly there to make sure that victims of violent crimes, such as rape and domestic violence, are assisted and given access to trained counsellors. Families of suicide and murder victims are also supported with professional trauma counselling.
Boswell said that the counsellors are mainly professionals such as psychologists and social workers. Those that are not professionals have access to ongoing training that entails listening skills, handling traumatic situations and victims’ rights.
“Other tasks that the support group performs include trauma debriefing and crisis intervention. Crisis intervention involves tasks such as calming rape victims at the police station down and helping them deal with the after shock,” said Boswell. She said that training will be provided.
Requirements and qualities for victim support volunteers:
• Have time to be able to assist other’s in time of need
• Must have empathy
• Must be able to listen more than speak
• Must be able to keep a level head and assist the victim (this can include phoning the banks to stop cards or phoning a relative)
• Know when to refer the person to another person if the volunteer knows they are not equipped to deal with the case
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