Famsa and Rotary combat GBV
KNYSNA - Famsa Knysna has secured funding from the Knysna Rotary Club's GBV committee to aid in addressing gender-based violence and femicide.
The funding will support training for volunteer community members to provide support to victims of domestic violence and other serious crimes in the Knysna/Sedgefield areas.
This initiative will enhance the services offered at the police's victim-friendly rooms in Knysna and Sedgefield and aims to empower victims through support, information and access to relevant services.
Trained volunteers will offer emotional support, appropriate information, acknowledgement and assistance in activating other essential services.
When necessary, victims will also receive referrals for additional support, such as counselling and help in obtaining protection orders or safety monitoring orders.
The police's victim-friendly rooms in Sedgefield and Knysna stations will be available 24/7 to provide these vital services.
Nicola Arend, a registered counsellor with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and a holder of a masters in forensic psychology, will provide the training for volunteers.
The team will also receive monthly support from two Famsa Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP) social workers.
Knysna police station commander
Col Francois de Wet and Knysna Community Policing Forum (CPF) chairperson Cheryl Britz are enthusiastic about the partnership and how it will enable them to increase support to victims.
They anticipate the formation of an active and effective team of VEP volunteers who will extend the reach of the police force by working alongside the police in providing emotional support to victims.
The training programme will start on 14 November and community members who are interested in becoming VEP volunteers can register for the training by contacting Famsa Knysna via email at trainingknysna@famsa.org.za or by calling 044 382 5129. Registration forms can be collected from the Famsa Knysna office located at 21 Spring Street.