South Africa:Female Victim Support Centre


Date: June 25, 2019
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Victim Empowerment practitioners assist the clients who enter our offices; we first welcome the client in our offices, explain their rights and explain our services holistically. The services are done in our Centre (Polokwane VEP). We then do follow up with the client to check progress of the case or family preservation.

Context        

The problems that the office deal with on a daily basis include domestic violence, child abuse and substance abuse. The goal is to ensure that victims do not experience secondary victimization and ultimately we advocate for safe and healthy relationships in our society.

Key Actions

Partnership between SAPS and Department of Social Development. Signing of Service Level of agreement. Drawing of Constitution. Establishing executive board to run the office. Recruit informed volunteers. Train volunteers. Capacitate both volunteers and board members

Partners

Department of Social Development, Monitoring evaluation of NGO has to ensure compliance.  Offer training to volunteers. Assist in race awareness within communities and schools. E.G Services rendered in the centre, older person’s rights.  Placement of victim is who are vulnerable into a shelter.

Strategies

Coalition building. We collaborate with Social Development and South African Police Services

Challenges

The Centre does not have the Overnight accommodation; clients are being referred to our neighbouring institution for further assistance.  Integration of government institution for the sake of healthy service delivery. The Centre does not have transport, which makes it difficult to transport clients who are in need.

Immediate results and next steps

VEP centre organise capacity building e.g. parenting skills sessions.  The centre refers children with behaviour problems to NICRO for Life skills programmes. Awareness campaigns are conducted to make the community aware of procedures on reporting sexual offences, DVA abuse against older person.

Long term Impact

The families will be preserved; both parents, children and family members will have healthy family relationship.

Learning and Application

Recognition or value of partnership. Political influence at various department delays the process, this delays cause secondary victimization

 


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