The Community Victim Support Project

Many people are affected by crime in South Africa. Some are direct victims. Some are family members of victims. Some may have witnessed a crime. No matter how big or small the crime, how violent or non-violent - those people may need help.

The NICRO Community Victim Support Project assists victims of crime and witnesses. NICRO runs over 40 victim support centers or witness support centers nationwide. NICRO also trains people who work with victims of crime.

Do You Need Help?

If you do, the NICRO Community Victim Support Project is there for you:

• we listen to what happened
• we help you lay a charge
• we assist you with court procedures
• we help you find ways of staying safe in the future
• we stand by you when you need us most

If you need help urgently and it is outside of office hours, please call LIFELINE in your area.

You may not know that you need help. If you have been a victim of crime, or witnessed a crime, and you are experiencing the following, you may need help:

• you can't stop thinking about what happened

• "I was an abused woman for many years, but I lacked the inner strength to try to change the circumstances I was living in until I made contact with NICRO" domestic violence survivor

  you have difficulties with your memory
• you have difficulty sleeping
• you are afraid to visit the place where the crime happened or your home is no longer a safe haven
• your eating habits have changed
• you are moody
• you can't concentrate
• you have nightmares
• you use alcohol or drugs more
• you are experiencing sexual problems
• you feel depressed, anxious or fearful
• you feel guilty
• you can't get on with your life

Everyone experiences crime differently. If you are experiencing any uncomfortable changes in our life as a result of crime, we may be able to help.

Talking about it is the first step to getting your life back in balance. Doing something concrete about it also helps. We can support you through that process.

Who will help you?

"Their professional and caring approach helped me deal with my feelings and fears in the aftermath of the incident" survivor of crime

Trained NICRO workers and community volunteers offer a caring, supportive service to people affected by crime.

NICRO offers victim support services at police stations, at magistrates' courts, at community centres and at our offices. Workers are available to assist schools and other community groups on request. Not all areas in the country are served at the moment, but the NICRO Community Victim Support Service is growing constantly.

NICRO also offers training to service providers working with all victims of crime.

One of the most common yet hidden crimes in South Africa is abuse of women by their partners. This might be emotional, sexual, physical or psychological. The NICRO Community Victim Support Project also helps women in violent relationships to get to a point where they can live safe and free lives.

You could:

• apply to become a trained NICRO volunteer to support victims of crime
• provide equipment for NICRO's offices and victim support centers [click for more]
• offer legal advice at to victims of crime
• offer financial support, big or small, to the project by contacting your nearest NICRO office or NICRO National Office

You can choose to do something about crime in your neighbourhood, and in South Africa, rather than living in fear. Many ordinary citizens belong to their neighbourhood watch, street committee, residents' association or other community structure where they contribute actively to making their community safer .

Contact your nearest NICRO office to get help or to offer help.