NATIONAL Victim Empowerment Week saw Brighton Beach SAPS officers lead a campaign to educate the community on their rights and responsibilities should they become a victim of crime.
“Crime has a devastating effect on victims who have suffered emotionally, physically and financially. Victims require assistance to deal with the trauma to be able to participate effectively in the criminal justice process and to resume their lives as healthy members of society,” said Brighton Beach SAPS media officer, Captain Louise Le Roux.
From Monday to Sunday, 14 to 20 September, Brighton Beach SAPS officers led by Capt Le Roux spoke to community members and handed out brochures.
Pupils at senior level schools were handed brochures, as were community members at local shopping malls.
“The aim of victim empowerment is creating a greater role for victims in the criminal justice system (judicial process) and enabling victims to resist repeat victimisation. It also refers to the manner in which victims are empowered by having their needs that arose from an incident of victimisation met satisfactorily,” said Capt Le Roux.
Included in the brochures and talks was the definition of victims’ rights and their responsibilities, along with the responsibilities of police.
Victims have the right to:
- Be treated with respect and dignity.
- Offer information.
- Receive information
- Protection
- Assistance
- Compensation
- Restitution.
When dealing with victims of crime, police must:
- Render professional and sensitive treatment when the crime is reported and during the investigation.
- Provide information on procedures of the criminal justice system that affects the victim.
- Provide advice on the prevention of further crimes.
- Give practical assistance. For example: Securing emergency medical assistance or contacting relatives.
- Refer victims to other services, like counselling, health services and legal advice.
- Intervene at the scene of crime to protect victims from further harm and access emergency services where relevant and when other relevant services are not immediately available.
- Explain police procedures.
- Inform the victims of their rights.
- Inform victims how to preserve evidence.
- Stop the violence at the scene of crime.
- Ensure confidentiality.
To allow police to deliver an effective service to the community, Capt Le Roux asks that victims:
- Convey their needs clearly to ensure an accurate and speedy response.
- Provide officials with full information when lodging an enquiry or complaint.
- Work in partnership with police to help create a safe environment.
- Not make false reports on incidents of crime.
Brighton Beach SAPS management thanks Capt Le Roux for creating and managing the project, along with Reservist Karmen Jenkins, who is also thanked for the execution of the activities in the campaign. The schools, Hillside Mall, Bluff Towers and Oxford Supermarket are thanked for allowing the police to host their brochure campaign.
