Victims of crime will now have a shoulder to cry on thanks to the opening of a Victims Support Room at the Lwandle Police Station.
The room, fitted with basic furniture, was opened on Tuesday 16 August and has been described as child friendly.
The room will offer immediate and valuable support to victims of crime, especially women and children.
With Lwandle being one of the priority stations due to high number of crimes committed in the area, it is hoped that the room will be beneficial to most victims of crime.
Shaun Koen, from Business Against Crime Western Cape, said they need to have a “comfortable space” so that victims “feel welcomed”.
“This victims room support will ensure that victims are able to express themselves freely and in a comfortable environment. This is the 58th support room we have been involved in, at priority stations impacted by crime.”
Col Tasswell Paulse, provincial gender-based-violence (GBV) co-ordinator, said the room will ensure that victims are afforded respect and dignity while being served in a conducive space.
“It is crucial that our victims are always treated with dignity and respect at all times. We must always adhere to victims rights, which included right of protection and to assistance,” said Paulse.
He urged the gathered community to use the support room as it is for the benefit of the Lwandle community.
Ward 86 councillor Xolani Diniso said this was the start of an era where the police station was not only a place to register a case. He said, now the community can come to the police station to get advice and assistance they disparately need.