Experts train Gauteng detectives in trauma coping skills

Imagine spending 365 days a year producing dockets; attending crime scenes and investigating them; interviewing possible suspects and witnesses, and subsequently initiating arrests; and keeping the complainant up to date with the case.

In a nutshell, this is what a police detective basically does every day after a crime has been committed.

On the receiving end of this role are Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit detectives who deal with domestic violence and child rape cases at close range.

Because such a job comes with ugly and insensitive experiences, the trauma is likely to affect them as they work closely with the victims.

A two-day workshop, held by Matla A Bana in Mpumalanga and Gauteng, provided 62 detectives with an opportunity to be counselled and trained on how to deal with the inevitable challenges that come with their job.

For Gauteng, this vital workshop was held on Thursday, 22 October at the Mosaïek church in Fairland under strict Covid-19 protocols.

This non-profit organisation, which acts as a voice against child abuse, roped in top experts, including Monique Strydom (CEO of the NGO), Mike Sears from Pysch-Action and Leonore Louw from Reach Africa to facilitate the programme.

During the presentations, Monique shared her unique ordeal as she survived four months of being held hostage. She provided practical survival tips such as dealing with panic attacks, taking control and dealing with fear.

Leonore focused on stress prevention – stating that there are more than 230 stress-related diseases, and that more than a third of South Africans have abnormally high stress levels. She went on to dissect the difference between helpful and harmful stress.

“Stress becomes negative when we stay ‘geared up’ and won’t – or can’t – relax after meeting the challenge. It arises from an imbalance between demands that one faces, and the ability to cope with them,” she explained.

Sears taught the detectives how to deal with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He reiterated the importance of dealing with psychological problems as they end up affecting them and their families as well. He also denounced unhealthy coping mechanisms such as substance abuse, avoiding others, working too much, anger and violent behaviour, to mention a few from the long, detailed list.

The NGO’s project manager Lizel van Eeden told the Northsider that this event was made possible by funds raised during this year’s Xtreme for Kids Cycle tour that took place before the Covid-19 lockdown.

“A portion of those funds from the tour was used to empower the detectives and indirectly give back to the undeserving victim,” she explained.

Lizel thanked all the sponsors whose added efforts made this event a resounding success.

The proceedings concluded with the detectives recognising Matla A Bana for always being there for them – and by that providing the much-needed comfort packs they use to comfort the victims.