SAFETY NET is one of the several projects undertaken
by the Westville Community Police Forum
Safety Net -
1st August 2009
Crime affects us all in several ways. First, perhaps most importantly is that the victims experience some level of trauma. This is most prevalent in contact crimes, such as rape, robberies, house robberies and car jacking. Outside the scope of crime, but where the SAPS are still summoned, family and friends are also affected in the case of a suicide or a vehicle accident when someone had passed away.
While the SAPS to a degree are trained to deal with emotional or upset victims, we tend to remain objective and cannot lend the support or comfort that the victim needs right then during the primary investigative process.
Enter Safety Net. This is a group of trained volunteers, who work alongside the SAPS in rendering comforting, trauma
counseling sometimes immediately after the crime or incident has occurred. Led by Cheryl
Robertson (pictured), this support group has a member on call 24 hours a day and are contacted by the SAPS who attend the scene. They have been summoned to countless crime scenes in Westville where immediate support is needed. They also follow up with the victim to assess their progress and if necessary, recommend further sessions or professional psychological assistance.
Often, victims tend to try and put on a brave face and don’t request
counseling themselves, but the SAPS members who are at the scene can very often see that there is a need for help and contact the team member who is on call who come out and render assistance.
The Safety Net team have even assisted in cases of rape where they have accompanied the survivor to the district surgeon. The SAPS do not always have a female official on duty and the ladies from Safety Net have been able to assist in obtaining a statement and supporting the survivor through the case opening process.
The Safety Net volunteers do truly wonderful work in our community, and there are several testimonies to this. If you feel you are able to contribute to the Westville community in this way, you are welcome to contact Supt Singh or myself at the Westville SAPS who will point you in the right direction. Training will be provided and you can be sure to experience
fulfillment in this worthy cause.
Community members are encouraged to use Safety Net as it is a truly helpful organisation. Or, if you have a family member that has been traumatised and you believe they will not make the call themselves, you can get hold of Safety Net and they can get the help they need.
Unfortunately, Cheryl and her team are only available in Westville, but this does not mean other “Nets” cannot be set up in other areas.
Safety Net is contacted via the Westville Community Service Centre or you can call Supt Singh’s Customer Care Line.
Cst Stephen Clark, Westville SAPS Communications, Social Crime Prevention.
WCPF064
SAFETY NET
Are you a resident of Westville?
Have you, your family or friends been a victim of Crime?
Do you know that sudden events can have long term effects if not treated and victims of crime often require assistance to overcome the trauma that they have experienced.
SAFETY NET comprises of a group of volunteers that work with the Westville Police, making themselves available to assist where there has been a crisis. At the request of the Westville SAPS they will go out to victims and their families to offer help to stabilize them after a trauma that has happened. Cases range from armed robbery, hi-jacking to rape, murder and suicide.
SAFETY NET is in urgent need of more volunteers who are Westville residents, young and old, male and female. We meet at the Westville Police Station for report backs on callouts.
So please Westville residents, come forward and assist. BE PROACTIVE.
Please contact:
Cheryl Robertson (after hours)
083 300 2957 for more information.
SAFETY NET – “We take the time to care”
The Westville Community Police Forum is committed to making Westville a safer and caring community
- 14 July 2008
SAFETY NET
WESTVILLE COMMUNITY POLICE FORUM
A training course in Trauma Containment
is offered to people interested in helping
friends, neighbours and colleagues who
are suffering trauma after a crisis.
The course will be held
on Saturdays 6th & 13th September between
9.00 a.m. & 3.30 p.m
Applicants are under no obligation to join
SafetyNet thereafter.
For more information if interested please contact
Cheryl Robertson SafetyNet Co-ordinator (after
hours) on 083-300-2957 - 14 July 2008
Safety Net
Enter Safety Net. This is a group of trained volunteers, who work alongside the SAPS in rendering comforting, trauma
counseling sometimes immediately after the crime or incident has occurred. Led by Cheryl
Robertson (pictured), this support group has a member on call 24 hours a day and are contacted by the SAPS who attend the scene. They have been summoned to countless crime scenes in Westville where immediate support is needed. They also follow up with the victim to assess their progress and if necessary, recommend further sessions or professional psychological assistance.