Victim support room volunteers trained

Men and women from the Langa community have been trained to run the recently launched victim support room at Langa police station.

The facility was opened in response to a spike in cases of rape and gender-based violence in the area.

The 10 volunteers have been taken through rigorous training to ensure that they are properly equipped to work with the trauma victims who will turn to them for help.

Co-ordinator Sergeant Zamile Mbatha who is also doing the training, said the room offered victims “a place to feel safe and tell their story knowing that they won’t be judged nor blamed for it”.

He added: “I think a lot of people at the moment are pretty shaken up. They want to protect the victims. That is why they came to be trained to be part of problem solving,” she said.

She said the trainees will empower victims of crime and would also refer them to the social workers who will be in the trauma room every Wednesday.

Police spokesperson Captain Nondumiso Paul commended the community of Langa and those who volunteered to help run the trauma room.

She also called on the community to support victims and to encourage them to visit the trauma room for help.

Community leader Nosipho Daniels said victims would be in good hands now that volunteers had been trained, and noted that they’d also refer victims to lawyers who could assist them.

“There are non- governmental organisations that we work with that are helpful. This training has opened our eyes to us and we are ready to deliver the good. We must commend the police station for taking this initiative. We are here to serve the community of Langa,” she said.