PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The SAPS relaunched the Kwanokuthula police station’s "victim friendly room" on Wednesday 5 March as part of its fight against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

Garden Route District commissioner, Major-General Phumzile Cetyana, urged police members to ensure that the Ministerial Six-Point Plan on GBVF is fully implemented and that victims of crime receive all benefits associated with the plan.

Bitou mayor Jessica Kamkam highlighted the importance of the partnership with police, to ensure that victims of crime receive the necessary support.

Cetyana was joined by Kamkam, neighbouring station commanders, non-governmental organisations, community police forums, local leaders and members of the community at the relaunch.

Victims empowered

The victim friendly room is a service where victims of crime are empowered with emotional support, practical support and information-sharing, and victims or survivors are referred to professional support services where required.

The relaunch of the room was made possible with the partnership of local businesses and volunteers and all those involved in the project were thanked by Ina Olivier of the Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association.

'Fairness, respect, courtesy'

Cetyana also urged sister departments, non-governmental organisations, community leaders and the community to work hand in hand with the police in the fight against crime.

"It is our responsibility to ensure that the rights of victims of crime are protected at all times. Victims of crime must be treated with fairness, respect and courtesy when reporting incidents of crime.

“There should be no discrimination, regardless of their circumstances, population group, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation or appearance. It is now the responsibility of all of us to put systems in place for the full use of the improved facilities in the victim friendly room,” said Cetyana.

He said the Ministerial Six-Point Plan stipulated that:

• All victims should be treated with respect and dignity and interviewed by a trained police official in a victim-sensitive manner;
• Victims should be assisted in a victim friendly or alternative room, where a statement will be taken in private, providing victim support services;
• Victims will be referred/taken for medical examination by the healthcare professional to obtain medical evidence and complete a medical report, including seeing to the health of the victim;

• The investigation should be conducted by the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Investigation Unit or a detective with relevant training;

• Victims of sexual offences, femicide and infanticide and their families should be referred to victim support services that are available within the precinct for legal, medical, social and psychological help; and
• Victims should be proactively and continuously given feedback on the progress of their cases.

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