Please note that FVEP is no longer in active operation but we are still able to provide advice, guidance and training for people interested in establishing their own victim empowerment programmes.
Department of Social Development Registration Number: 219-188 NPO
The Flomotion Victim Empowerment Programme was a volunteer programme and registered non-profit organisation set up and administered by Flomotion, with support from the South African Police Service, emergency services and local community policing forums. Our original project ran for three years in Florida, Johannesburg but we also provided support with setting up similar programmes across the rest of Gauteng Province.
In line with South Africa’s National Crime Prevention Strategy and National Policy Guidelines on Victim Empowerment, we focused on restorative justice for victims of trauma, at no cost to the victims themselves. This approach is fully in concert with international trends over the past decade to promote a victim-centred approach to criminal justice.
Our professional, motivated and highly-trained counsellors
- provided empathetic, person-centred assistance to victims of crime and other traumatic incidents in the form of counselling
- attended to the victim’s emotional needs and stability
- assisted with access to emergency and social services
- offered support during the justice process
- provided services on behalf of the victim in terms of their rights
- and assisted with prevention strategies to prevent repeat traumatisation.
While our focus was on providing initial trauma debriefing to victims of crime, we also referred victims to medical and professional service providers if further counselling was required.
We also offered the following services, among others:
- We created awareness at schools on the dangers of drugs and being involved in gangs. We invited motivational speakers to address students at local schools.
- We conducted group debriefing after incidents involving multiple victims.
- We facilitated educational talks and workshops to empower individuals on how to deal with trauma.
- We reported general statistics (i.e. no identifying or personal information) about the cases we work on to the South African Police Service and relevant Community Policing Forum.
- We developed a client information database for ease of communication and intervention.
Our counsellors were drawn from various backgrounds and included teachers, paramedics, social workers and drug rehabilitation workers among others. They were all volunteers and have been thoroughly vetted by Flomotion and the South African Police Service.
If you are looking for assistance setting up your own victim empowerment programme in your suburb or area, please email vep@flomotion.co.za.