NICRO Gauteng

Location of Provincial Office:
4th Floor, Heerengracht Building
87 De Korte Street
Braamfontein
2001.

Postal Address:
P O Box 30610
Braamfontein
2017

Tel: + 27 (0) 11 403 2953
Fax: + 27 (0) 11 403 21523
E-mails: gerhard@nicroec.co.za

Services Points

The very first of NICRO’s branches was established in Pretoria in 1910, following which a small office in Brixton, Johannesburg, opened its doors in June of the following year. From these modest beginnings NICRO Gauteng expanded rapidly and today renders services from the provincial office located in Braamfontein and nine additional service points. Each service point has a number of sub-offices operating from police stations, magistrates’ courts and community centres, affording community members easy access to counselling, victim support and diversion services throughout Gauteng.

NICRO Gauteng has a staff complement of 44. The management team comprises the provincial director, two regional managers, a project manager and an administrative / financial manager. In addition to our service delivery staff, who are ably assisted by some 54 volunteers, the province also has an administrative, human resources and resource mobilisation/fundraising unit.

Community Victim Support

The Community Victim Support Programme is offered in Johannesburg, Alexandra Township, Randburg, Soweto, Ekurhuleni, Tshwane, the West Rand, Vereeniging and surrounding communities. Trauma debriefing, crisis management, counselling and comprehensive victim support and empowerment interventions are rendered to some 18,000 survivors of crime and violence from NICRO’s various service points, 13 fully-fledged victim support centres and four domestic violence courts each year.

In addition to these interventions and a holistic victim empowerment programme for survivors of domestic violence, general support services such as assistance to obtain interdicts and protection orders, the tracing of court dockets, accompanying victims to court and referrals to shelters or other community resources are also provided to clients.

Direct service delivery is complemented by community outreach, education and awareness initiatives and workshops focussing on victimisation, gender violence, domestic violence and the protection of children from violence and abuse.

Diversion and Youth Development

NICRO’s Diversion Programme affords young offenders a second chance by channelling young people in conflict with the law away from the formal criminal justice system into programmes that that make them accountable for their actions and responsible for attempting to repair the resultant damage. Participants are referred to NICRO by court prosecutors, magistrates or probation officers as well as schools and family members.

The successful completion of any of the following options results in the withdrawal of charges and the young person avoids receiving a criminal record:

• The Youth Empowerment Scheme, a six to eight-session life skills programme for first time young offenders;
• Pre-Trial Community Service, which offers young offenders the opportunity of serving the community they have wronged for a set number of hours ;
• Family Group Conferencing, which involves bringing together the victim, the offender and his/her family members and is geared towards repairing the damage caused and making plans to prevent the young person from re-offending;
• The Journey Leadership Programme, an intensive therapeutic intervention and training programme aimed at high-risk youth and serious or multiple offenders that includes life and vocational skills training in addition to community service, adventure education and a wilderness therapy component;
• A drug education and prevention programme;
• A specialised programme for young sexual offenders.

In addition to the above, NICRO Gauteng also offers a pa renting skills programme that runs concurrently with the diversion option into which young offenders have been slotted.

The Diversion Programme has proved to be highly successful in preventing repeat offending and offers children and young people significant developmental opportunities to turn their lives around.

Other Services

Ikhaya Lethemba is a one-stop centre that offers support services and a shelter for women and children in crisis, predominantly survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence. NICRO Gauteng currently also manages a community-based project, the Eldorado Park Family Crisis Centre, on behalf of the Gauteng Department of Social Services. In addition to addressing the needs of women, children and men from Eldorado Park and surrounding communities, the centre serves to bridge the gap between the community and the police, health, welfare and other relevant social services.

Roll of Honour

The contribution that NICRO Gauteng continues to make towards the creation of a safer South Africa is dependant on the enduring support of our government, the corporate sector, charitable trusts, foundations and other grant makers, as well as contributions from individual donors. We, and the communities we serve, remain deeply grateful to all our donors for their generosity and the confidence they show in our work. Without their support we would not be able to effectively meet the needs of young people at risk, victims in need of care, former offenders who need a second chance and communities who strive for a crime free society. We are especially indebted to the state for our subsidies, the provincial government of Gauteng and the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund for their ongoing support.

We are also exceptionally grateful to our volunteers who selflessly share their time, energy and inspiration without expecting anything in return. Without their invaluable support NICRO Gauteng would not be in a position to render services to the extent that we do.

Would You Consider Helping Us to Make a Difference?

Volunteers who are based at police stations, courts, community centres and NICRO offices greatly assist us to increase our capacity and render more widespread, effective services. In exchange for their vital support and contributions, volunteers are afforded the chance of attending workshops, training sessions and accessing self-development opportunities. If you are able to volunteer your services or expertise, please contact our provincial office, or the nearest NICRO office, and offer your assistance.

Alternatively, any donations in cash or kind, no matter how big or small, would be deeply appreciated. We especially urge current and new donors to dig deep into their pockets and contribute towards the South Africa democracy by supporting us to support the nation.

A Success Story: Empowering and Inspiring Youth

Twenty-one year old Mpho, whose parents were separated and had lost their family home as a result of financial difficulties, was living on the streets in the township of Kagiso when he was discovered by a NICRO Diversion worker. Although he had not committed an offence, Mpho was clearly at risk of becoming involved in criminal activities to meet his basic needs or falling victim to crime himself. He agreed to participate in the Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES) programme and NICRO arranged for suitable accommodation at a Metropolitan Evangelical Services shelter in Hillbrow.

Mpho successfully completed the YES programme and is in the process of completing an advanced life skills programme, following which he will enrol for security training that will greatly improve his chances of securing employment. This young man is no longer homeless and without support, and like so many NICRO beneficiaries, now has a renewed sense of hope and a future he can look forward to.