To Serve, Protect and Reassure
Help Desk

Victim Support Programme

The Victim Support Programme is a non-profitable voluntary organisation. It was established in December 1998 to offer emotional and practical support to nationals, non-nationals and their friends and families, who have suffered traumatic experiences as a result of various crimes. The crimes may include robbery, sexual offences, burglary and domestic violence.

What Happens to Victims of Crime?

People who have been victims of crime may experience a range of possible reactions as a result of these crimes. They may include:

  • Physical reactions: e.g headaches, nausea;
  • Behavioural reactions: e.g withdrawal symptoms;
  • Cognitive reactions: e.g sleeping difficulties, flashbacks, poor concentration; and
  • Emotional reactions: e.g denial, anger, guilt and fear.

These reactions may be noticed immediately after the crime or may be delayed. Sometimes they may occur months later. These reactions may last from a few days to months or years.



What Services are Offered?

The Victim Support Programme offers services by trained volunteers and include:

  • Professional counselling;
  • Support servicess;
  • Provides victims’ rights information; and
  • Court preparation and companion services..



What is Court Preparation and Companion Services?

They are sessions geared at helping victims boost their confidence and increase their familiarity with the court system. The sessions include court visits, information about giving evidence in court and any other services available to the victims.

The Victims Support Officer also performs the role of a Court Companion where he/she accompanies and remains with the victim in court while they give evidence. They may also arrange for sitting in areas away from the accused and other witnesses.



The Benefits of the Victim Support Programme

There are a number of benefits to the victims who use the Victim Support Programme and these include:

  • Quicker recovery from traumatic events.;
  • Speedier return to work;
  • Better coping skills with any other event that may occur.
  • Improvement on Occupational Health and Safety in the work place
  • Creates bonds among work mates and family
  • Worker compensation claims are minimised



Victim Support Programme Advice

Should you or anyone you know be a victim of crime and you/they can’t seem to cope, remember, we are here with that caring heart.

So please allow that Police Officer to contact us, because we live by our motto and you certainly can LEAN ON US.