Publication

This paper surveys the responsibilities of the South African Metropolitan Police Services to provide victim assistance and trauma management. It finds that officers working under difficult circumstances feel that they are not adequately trained or resourced. The paper also finds that problems arise due to difficulties in coordination and cooperation between the various agencies dealing with victims. In conclusion, the author recommends that metro police organizations engage substantially with issues of victim empowerment, as per the government's National Victim Empowerment Program.