Victim Support service set up in Waimarino

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 566, 13 December 1994, Page 15

Victim Support service set up in Waimarino

If you are a victim of crime you don't have to go it alone. A nation-wide organisation has recently set up a group of volunteers in the Waimarino to help and guide people who find themselves suffering through someone else's law breaking. A group of six volunteers recently graduated from a 10 week training programme to get them started in providing the service. The volunteers can provide someone with help in a number of ways, starting with help in dealing with the court appearance experience. They go through with the person what will happen in the court room; they will keep them informed as to what is happening with the case and when it

will go to court; and they can arrange to have a volunteer go with them to court if need be. They keep in contact with the police and ask the questions and find out who else to ask regarding the victim. Decisions "We don't tell them what to do - they've got to make the decisions themselves," said co-ordinator Philippa Treweek. She said they can arrange appointments with the various professionals, such as solicitors, Income Support staff, funeral director, Women' s Refuge, that may be necessary. They can also go with the person to such an appointment if they want.

"The aim is to get them over the worst of the situation." The service is available 24 hours a day, and people can ask for help by contacting Mrs Treweek through the Police Station, (see Guidelines). The service promises complete confidentiality. Support The organisation has the backing and support of the police. "The volunteers can help the police by taking care of a victim just at the time when the police have urgent work to do dealing with other matters to do with an incident." Mrs Treweek said the course is a starting point for the volunteers and they will continue to receive

training and information for as long as they serve. The course includes a court room 'drama' that takes them through much of what happens in a court. They visit a funeral director who goes through the process of arranging a funeral. They hear a variety of speakers, including solicitors who explain such things as court orders. The course gives the volunteers the confidence to ask the questions to which a victim needs answers. Mrs Treweek added that the group is working to provide blankets for Waimarino' s police vehicles for use by victims. She called for donations of wool for the people who are making the blankets.