The Sandringham Victim Empowerment Unit is appealing for volunteers to assist in the counselling of victims of crime.
The unit is a service where the dignity and rights of victims are protected, and the victim is empowered and not subjected to secondary victimisation by the inefficiency of the members of the criminal justice system.
Catherine Cruceru, on behalf of the Sandringham Victim Empowerment Unit, said no background training or experience is required, and training will be provided at a non-refundable cost of R500 per volunteer. She said since the unit was closed a few years ago, they felt the need to reopen it and continue to help victims.
The unit works hand in hand with the Sandringham Police Station and is headed by Lieutenant Ramonkung Thobejane.
Five members work at the unit, including Cruceru, Dora Thakatshana, Ingrid Stevens, Val Venter and Iris Girling.
According to Girling, the victim empowerment programme aims to restore the loss or damage caused by criminal acts and their consequences through a variety of actions intended to empower the victim to deal with the consequences of the event, to leave it behind and suffer no further loss or damage.
Thakatshana, who was previously part of the Norwood Victim Empowerment Unit said, “The fact that I can go to bed every day knowing that I made a difference in someone else’s life is what motivates me to keep doing this.”
Volunteers must be at least 27 years old, a South African citizen, have access to e-mail, have reliable transport and reside in the greater Sandringham area.
Cruceru explained that no professional qualification is needed to be part of the unit and it is on a voluntary basis with no remuneration given. “Pre-interviews will take place prior to training, and individuals will be contacted to arrange a time for training,” she said.
Details: sandringhamvep@gmail.com
