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Victim Empowerment Service in the South African

Police Service

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Compiled by:Division:VisiblePolicing,ComponentCrimePrevention,SectionGenderbasedViolenceandVictimEmpowermentDivisionDetectiveService,ComponentFamilyViolence,ChildProtectionandSexualOffencesInvestigation(FCS)

Design & Layout:SAPSCoporateCommunicationMarketing&PublicRelations

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Index1. Introduction

2. Whatisavictim-friendlyservice?

3. Frameworkforservicestovictims

4. Rightsofvictimsofcrime

5. Servicespoliceofficialsprovidetovictimsofcrime

6. Policeofficial’sfirstcontactwiththevictim

7. Interviewandobtainingthevictim’sstatement

8. Registeringthecasedocket

9. Theroleoftheinvestigatingofficer

10. Theroleofthecommander/supervisors

11. Referraltovictimsupportservices

12. Theproceduretofollowwhenreferringavictimofacrimetoaprofessionalserviceprovider

13. The functioning of victim-friendly rooms (VFRs) at policestations

14. The different victim support service centres available in thecommunity

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Victim empowerment service in the South African Police Service1. Introduction

TheSouthAfricanPoliceService is the initial point of entry to thecriminal justice system in the majority of cases, and is thereforeresponsible for ensuring that thevictimsof crime, especially sexualoffences and other serious and violent crimes, are provided with avictim-friendlyservice.

2. Whatisavictim-friendlyservice?

Itisaservicewherethedignityandrightsofvictimsareprotected,andthevictimisempoweredandnotsubjectedtosecondaryvictimizationbytheinefficiencyofthemembersofthecriminaljusticesystem.Thefourbasicelementsofvictimempowermentare-

➛ emotionalsupport

➛ practicalsupport

➛ providinginformation

➛ referraltoprofessionalsupportservices

3. Frameworkforservicestovictims

Thefollowingservesareaframeworkforservicestovictims:

➛ ServiceCharterforVictimsofCrimeinSouthAfrica

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➛ MinimumStandardsforservicestovictimsofcrime

➛ Legislation

➛ SAPSinstructions,forexample:

➘ NationalInstruction2/2012–VictimEmpowerment

➘ NationalInstruction7/1999-DomesticViolence

➘ NationalInstruction3/2008-SexualOffences

➘ NationalInstruction2/2010-ChildreninConflictwiththeLaw

➘ NationalInstruction3/2010-TheCareandProtectionofChildrenintermsoftheChildren’sAct

➘ StandingOperatingProceduresforthereportingofFCS-relatedCrimes(FCS=FamilyViolence,ChildProtectionandSexualOffencesUnit)

4. Rightsofvictimsofcrime

Victimshavethefollowingrights:

➛ Therighttobetreatedwithfairness,andwithrespectfordignityandprivacy

➛ Therighttoofferinformation

➛ Therighttoreceiveinformation

➛ Therighttoprotection

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➛ Therighttoassistance

➛ Therighttocompensation

➛ Therighttorestitution

5. Servicespoliceofficialsprovidetovictimsofcrime

Police officials must comply with the different instructions, forexampletheSAPSNationalInstructions.

Allvictimsmustbetreatedwithfairness,respectandcourtesy,inprivate,withoutdiscrimination,regardlessofcircumstances,populationgroup,gender,age,disability,sexualorientationandappearance.

6. Policeofficialsfirstcontactwiththevictim

Thefirstcontactofthepoliceofficialrefersto,forexample-

➛ a telephone call from the reporter (victim, witness, concernedperson,etc)

➛ thevictimvisitingtheCSC

➛ acall-outtothecrimescenewherethevictimis.

Thefirstpoliceofficialwhocomesintocontactwiththevictim,mustprovidethefollowingservices/supporttothevictim:

➛ When receiving details of a complaint, the police official mustreactimmediately.

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➛ Introduceyourselftothevictim.

➛ Determine and ensure the safety of the victim. Arrange formedicalassistance,ifnecessary.Ensurethatallpossibleevidenceispreservedandcollectedfromthemedicalpractitioners/hospital/clinic.

➛ Interview the victim in a language that he/she understands. Ifthemembercannotspeakthelanguage,he/shemustarrangeforanothermemberwhoisabletoconverseinthesamelanguage,orarrangeaninterpreter.

➛ Ifthevictimrequeststhathe/sheisinterviewedbyapoliceofficialofthesamegender,allpossibleattemptsmustbemadetoadheretotherequest.

➛ Inform the victim that he/she may have a person present forsupportduringthedifferentprocesses,forexampletheinterview,statementtaking,medicalexamination.

➛ Inform thevictimof thedifferent/applicableprocesses thatwillfollow (statement taking, registering of case docket, medicalexamination,investigation).

➛ Notify the relevant detective performing standby duties of thecaseassoonaspossible.Ensurethatthedetectiveattendstothecaseassoonaspossible.

7. Interviewandobtainingthevictim’sstatement

Thepoliceofficialmustattendtothefollowingwheninterviewingandobtainingthestatementofavictim:

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➛ Take a statement in a professional and sensitive manner, withrespect for the victim’s right to privacy and complete all thenecessaryformstoregisterthecrime.

➛ Interviewandstatementofadultvictims(18yearsandolder)

➘ Ifpossible,thepoliceofficialmustbeabletospeakandunderstandthelanguageusedbythevictim

➘ Theexactwordsofthevictimmustbecontainedinthestatement

➘ Ifthevictimistootraumatisedtoprovidedetailedinformation-

→ obtain a brief, preliminary statement or obtain astatementfromthepersonaccompanyingthevictim

→ obtainanin-depthstatement laterwhenthevictimisabletodoso(seeparagraph18ofNI3/2008)

➘ Shouldthevictimwishtoprovideadetailedstatementimmediately,obtainthedetailedstatement

➘ Informthevictimofthedifferentprocessesthatwillfollow.

➛ Interview and statement of a child victim (under the age of 18years)

➘ Forthecorrectformatofachild’sstatement,seeAnnexureFofNI3/2008–Guidelinesrelatingtothetakingofastatementofachildvictim

➘ Apoliceofficialwhohasbeentrainedtointerviewandto

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obtainastatementfromthechild,mustdealwiththechildvictim.

➘ Thepoliceofficialmustbeabletospeakandunderstandthelanguageusedbythechildvictim.Theuseofatranslatormustbethelastresort.

➘ Theexactwordsofthechildmustbecontainedinthestatement.

➘ Ifthechildvictimistootraumatisedtoprovidedetailedinformation-

→ obtain a brief, preliminary statement or obtain astatementfromthepersonaccompanyingthevictim

→ obtainanin-depthstatement laterwhenthevictimisabletodoso(seeparagraph18ofNI3/2008)

➘ Ifthechildistooyoungornotabletoverbalisethedetailsoftheincident(s),aforensicsocialworkermustgiveassistancewithconductingaforensicassessment.

➘ Achild’sstatementmustbeobtainedinthepresenceoftheparent/guardian,unless-

→ itisnotinthebestinterestofthechild

→ theparent/guardianistheallegedoffender

→ thechildrequeststobeinterviewedwithouttheparent/guardianbeingpresent.

➛ Contentofthevictim’sstatement

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➘ Recordthevictim’sexactwordsinthestatement.Affordhim/hertheopportunitytoreadhis/herstatementandmakeanychangestoit.Ifthevictimisunabletoreadit,readthestatementtohim/her.

➘ Thestatementofthecomplainantshouldcontainthefollowing(shoulditnotbeincludedintheoriginalstatement,obtainanadditionalstatement):

→ Elementsofthecrime

→ Detailed description of what had happened before,during and after the commission of the crime(s)(actionsofvictimandoffender)

→ Detaileddescriptionofinjuriessustained(victim)andcaused(offender)duringtheincident(s)

→ Detaileddescriptionofthreatsand/orobjectsused(forexamplecondoms,ropes,firearms)

→ Detailed description of any items removed from thecrimesceneandabilitytoidentifyitems,ifapplicable

→ Detailed description of the surroundings where theincident(s)tookplace

→ Detailsoftheallegedoffender,ifknown

↔ Fullnames,aliases,addresses,contactdetails↔ Relationshipbetweenvictimandoffender

(stranger,familymember,spouse,partner,friend,etc)

↔ Physicaldescriptionofthesuspect(population

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group,gender,age,physicalappearance,deformities,tattoos,etc)

→ Ifunknown

↔ Physicaldescriptionofthesuspect(populationgroup,gender,age,physicalappearance,deformities,tattoos,etc)

↔ Personalcharacteristics(defectivespeech,languageuse,andmodusoperandi)

→ Indicationwhetherhe/shewillbeabletoidentifythesuspect(s)and/orcompileafacialidentikit

➘ Detailsofthepersontowhomshe/hereportedthedetailsoftheincident(s)thefirsttime(firstreportwitness)

➘ Indicationofpossiblewitness(es),theiractions/involvementandtheirdetails(name,surname,alias,contactdetails)

8. Registeringthecasedocket

➛ Register the case docket immediately/as soon as possible asthe CAS reference number will be required for the follow-upprocesses, i.e. medical examination, circulation of the detailsof stolen property, requesting the services of the investigatingexperts/aids(photographer,fingerprintexperts,dogs,etc).

➛ Informthevictimofthedifferentinvestigationprocesses

➛ ProvidethevictimwiththedetailsofthepolicestationandCASreferencenumber.

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9. Theroleoftheinvestigatingofficer

Theinvestigatingofficermust-

➛ concludethefullinvestigationofacaseassoonaspossible

➛ explainpoliceinvestigationproceduresthatinvolvethevictim

➛ provideyourcontactdetailstothevictim,shouldhe/shehaveanyenquirieswithregardtothecase

➛ considerthesafetyofvictimsandotherwitnessesapriorityduringthe investigation. Ifpossible,mechanismsshouldbeadopted toprevent the offender from identifying witnesses (use one-waymirrorfacilities)

➛ keepthevictiminformedofprogressmadewiththeinvestigation(medicalexaminations, identificationparades, identificationandarrestof thealleged suspect), courtprocedures (decisionof theprosecutor to prosecute/not prosecute, first appearance of theaccused,bailhearing,bailconditions,trialdates,postponements,date required to testify, pre-trial meeting with the prosecutor,outcomeofthetrial),andthedateandplacewhenseizedpropertymaybecollected

➛ Preparethevictimforthecourtprocess

➛ Informthevictimthattheaccusedwillhaveaccesstothedocket.Ifthevictimhasanyspecificreasonfornotwantingtheaccusedtohavethisinformation,submittherequesttotheprosecutortowithholdthenameandaddressofthevictim

➛ Informthevictimofavailablesupport/counsellingservices

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➛ Informtheprosecutor if there is reason tobelieve thatavictimorotherwitnessmaybesubjectedtofurtherthreats,violenceorharassment, as this will be a consideration in the bail hearing.Advise the victim on steps to be taken if the suspect/accusedthreatens or interferes with him/her. Inform the victim of thewitness protection programme, and if necessary, accommodatethevictim

➛ Donotmake thenamesandaddressesofvictimsknown to themedia and this information should not be read aloud in opencourts. Details which would identify them, should be withheldifpossible

➛ ensurethatallpropertyheldforevidentiarypurposesarereturnedassoonaspossible,ifthevictimmaypossessitlegally

➛ inform the next of kin personally of the death of a victim andprovide the necessary assistance during the identificationprocedures.Thisshouldbedone inanempatheticandsensitivemanner

In the case of a sexual offence, the procedures as set out in National Instruction 3/2008 - Sexual Offences – must be followed when there is an indication that the victim may have been exposed to the risk of being infected with HIV as a result of the commission of the offence. The victim will have been exposed to the risk of becoming infected if the offence was a sexual offence that resulted in the victim coming into contact with the blood, semen or vaginal fluid of the alleged offender.

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10.Theroleofthecommandersandsupervisors

Thestationcommanderandcommandingofficermust-

➛ ensurethatthelocalstationorder/standardoperationalprocedureshavebeenimplementedtocoverallaspectsofpolicetreatmentofcrime(refertoSAPSVEPManual2009)

➛ ensurethatallmembersunderhis/hercommandareawareofandcomplywiththeprotocolforinitialandfurthercontactwiththevictim

➛ ensurethatmembersarefamiliarwithprovidingavictim-friendlyservice and receive regular in-service training about victimservices

➛ ensurethatallmembersattendtheVEPcourse

➛ ensure that there is a functional victim-friendly room (VFR)availableatthestation

➛ ensure that the VFR is equipped, maintained and used for thepurposeofvictimsupport

➛ makearrangementstoensurethatavictim-friendlyservicecanbeprovided,evenifitisnotpossibletoestablishavictim-friendlyroom(VFR).Arrangementswillincludehavingprivatefacilitiesforthepurposeofinterviewingandtakingstatements

➛ ensurethatfeedbackisgiventothevictimregularly

➛ ensurethataVEcoordinatorisappointedatstationlevelandthatthe localVEForum is representedby anofficerwithdecision-

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makingpowers

➛ ensurethatanupdatedreferrallistisavailableintheCommunityService Centre (CSC), as well as in the victim-friendly room(VFR) for referring victims for professional victim supportservicesavailableinthecommunity.

11.Referraltovictimsupportservices

Thepoliceare inan idealposition toprovide informationonvictimsupportortoreferthevictimtoaccessvictimsupportservices,suchasvictimcounsellingandothersupportservices.

The station commander must ensure that a complete and updatedreferral list with the details of the Government/Non-Governmentalorganizations, medical institutions or any other groups in the areawhich provide medical, legal, social and counselling services tovictims, is kept in the community service centre (CSC), thevictim-friendlyroom(VFR)andofficesoftheDetectiveServices.

Thelistmustcontainup-to-dateinformationonservicesrendered,andmustincludethefollowinginformation:

➛ Telephonenumbers

➛ Streetandpostaladdresses

➛ Detailsofshelters

➛ After-hourfacilities

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12.Theproceduretofollowwhenreferringavictimofcrimetoaprofessionalserviceprovider

Members who refer a victim for victim support services and/orcounselling(legal,socialormedical),must-

➛ explain to the person that being a victim of crime can be atraumaticexperienceandthatpeopleoftenneedcounsellingandothersupportservicestocopewiththeimpactofthisexperience,ortoparticipateeffectivelyinthecriminaljusticeprocess

➛ ask the person whether he/she wants to be referred to theseservicesforassistance

➛ consult the support services referral list and select appropriateservice providers. (If possible, provide the victim with namesandcontactnumbersofatleasttwoserviceproviderssothatthevictimcanmakethefinalchoice)

➛ notifytheappropriateserviceprovider,ifthevictimsowishes

➛ provide the following information to theserviceproviderwhenreferringsomeone:

➘ Thename,address,contactnumberandageofthevictim

➘ Averybriefdescriptionofthevictim’sproblem(s)

➘ Allothernecessaryinformation,dependingonthetypeofserviceproviderthevictimisreferredto,egalawyer,socialworker,medicaldoctor

➛ nevergivemoreinformationthanisstrictlynecessary,asthiswill

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violatetheconfidentialityandtrustthevictimhasputinhim/her

➛ never provide a victim with any victim support services,like counselling. All traumatised victims must be referred toprofessionalserviceproviders.

13.Thefunctioningofvictim-friendlyrooms(VFRs)atpolicestations

The SAPS is committed to improving our services to the victimsof crime at all police stations and relevant units. As part of thePerformance Plan of the National Commissioner, all police stationsshould have a victim-friendly room.To ensure the establishment ofvictim-friendlyrooms(VFRs),amulti-yearplanhasbeenadoptedbyboththeSupplyChainManagementDivisionandtheVisiblePolicingDivisiontoestablishVFRsatthepolicestationswithnoVFRsfrom2011to2014.

Avictim-friendlyroom(VFR)mustprovideanopportunityforvictimsof intimate violence (gender-based violence, child abuse, sexualoffencesanddomesticviolence)tomaketheirstatementsinprivate,inanon-threateningenvironment.

The following are the advantages of establishing a victim-friendlyroom(VFR):

➛ Providingsomeprivacyandcomforttothevictim

➛ Providing a secure environmentwhere statements canbe takenfromvictims

➛ Providing a venue where other relevant support services canbe rendered, for examplewhereavictimsupportvolunteer canprovidethevictimwithinformation.

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Station commanders must ensure that the victim-friendly rooms(VFRs)are-

➛ established. If this is not immediately possible, alternativearrangements must be made to provide an effective victim-friendlyservicetoallvictims

➛ adequatelyequipped

➛ neatandclean

➛ functioningeffectively

➛ effectively equipped with a trained, permanent member of thepoliceascoordinator.

Theneedsofallvictimsshouldbeconsideredwhenavictim-friendlyroom is equipped, and the following guidelines are important,dependingonthespaceavailable:

➛ Furnitureandequipmentmustinclude-

➘ adeskandchairforthepoliceofficer

➘ chairs(two)forthevictim(s)

➘ aloungesuite(threeorfour-seatersofa)and/orasinglesleepercouch

➘ filingcabinet

➘ lockablecupboard

➘ whiteboardand/orpinboard

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➘ stationery

➘ dustbin

➘ teatable

➘ cleaningequipment(broomandmob)andmaterial(soaps)

➘ burglar-proofingonalloutsidedoorsandwindows

➘ registertocapturethedetailsofthevictim

➘ first-aidkit

➘ fireextinguisher

➛ Otherequipmentmayinclude-

➘ atelevisionsetandstand,preferablymountedtothewall

➘ aDVDplayerandstand,preferablymountedtothewall

➘ akettle

➘ cutleryandcrockery(eightpieces)

➘ ablanket

➘ apillowwithacover

➘ aclipposterframe

➘ aninformationstandforcommunicationmaterial

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➘ aheaterandfanifnoair-conditioningisavailable.

➛ Toys may be available in VFRs that are also used for takingstatementsfromchildren,butmustnotbedisplayedopenlyasnotallvictimsarechildren.

➛ Bathroomfacilitiesmustbeavailable,butbecautiousnottolose/damageforensicevidence.

➛ VFRsmusthavean inventory tokeep recordof all equipment/furnitureprovidedbytheSAPS.Aseparateassetregistermustbekepttorecordallassets/equipmentacquiredthroughdonations.

➛ TheVFRsmustnotbesituatedincloseproximitytopolicecellsorinnoisyorbusyareas.

➛ NoVFRmaybeconvertedtoofficespaceorbeusedforanyotherpurposethanvictimsupportservices.

➛ VFRscanbediscreetlydecoratedandpaintedtocreateacalmandrelaxingatmosphere.

➛ VFRs may not be used as sleeping-over facilities and shouldnotbeequippedassuch.Ifthereisaneedtoprovideovernightaccommodation,arrangementsmustbemadebythelocalVictim-EmpowermentCommitteetoestablishashelter.

➛ A VFR can only be used for overnight stays or as a shelter ifthe Department of Social Development (DSD) is involved, toensurethatthefacilityiscorrectlyregisteredandmanaged.TheinvolvementofNon-GovernmentalOrganisations(NGOs)inthisregard,ispermittedonlyiftheyareworkinginclosecooperationwiththeSAPSandDSD.

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➛ The functioning and management of VFRs at police stationswill always remain the responsibility of the SAPS and otherdepartmentsand/orNGOswillonlyrendersupportservices.

14.Thedifferentvictimsupportservicecentresavailableinthecommunity

In some communities victim support centres with multidisciplinaryserviceshavebeenestablished toprovide thecommunitieswithoneaccesspointformorethanoneservice.Theaimistoprovideabetterservicetothevictim,whilealsoempoweringthevictiminthecriminaljustice process. Should there be such a centre in your community,victims may be referred to the centre for services other than policeservices.Ifthereisapoliceofficialavailableinthecentre,thatpoliceofficialcanassistthevictimwithpolice-relatedmatters.

Crisis centres were mostly established at local hospitals to assistthe victims of sexual offences, domestic violence and child sexualabuse with receiving medico-legal, medical, victim support, traumacounselling, legal and investigative services. The victims of theseoffences and violence need to be referred to these centres for thenecessaryvictimsupport,otherthanpoliceservices.

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