The need for
Trauma Informed Communities in SA
According to the White paper on safety and security (2008) there is a substantial need to “Improve the quality-of-service delivery to victims of crime” and that “victimization constitutes a violation of human rights” whilst “International experience has also shown that effective management of both direct and indirect victims and witnesses of crime is a vital part of successful police investigations.”
Victim Support Centres in Gauteng were established in Gauteng so that Victims would have access to a full package of services to restore victims to a reasonable level of functioning after their experience of victimization. However, there is a glaring shortage of trauma informed organizations, volunteers and even MHCP’s (Mental Health Care Professionals) who specialize in and fully understand the pervasiveness of trauma and Traumatic Stress. Roger D Fallot and Maxine Harris write in Creating Cultures of Trauma-Informed Care that whilst the impact of trauma can be pervasive, far-reaching and life changing, Organizations and cultures that engage with survivors in a manner that is safe, trustworthy, encourages choice and collaboration and respect the dignity of the victim will facilitate the healing journey more effectively.
“Human service systems (that) become trauma-informed by thoroughly incorporating, in all aspects of service delivery, an understanding of the prevalence and impact of trauma and the complex paths to healing and recovery” are desperately needed in South African Communities.
“Human service systems” are our police stations, Faith based organizations, churches, NPO’s and our Criminal Justice System, and yet the knowledge, understanding and insight pertaining to Traumatic Stress is either antiquated, autocratic or assimilated with some new found “trauma healing” new-fad that is not research based and doesn’t always respect the dignity of the trauma victim.
Additionally, the scarcity of trained and well managed “Trauma Informed” Victim Empowerment volunteers or permanent staff, contributes to services that are either lacking, apathetic or insensitive. This is not done deliberately by staff, but as a result of staff experiencing burnout, secondary traumatization or compassionate fatigue.
A different path must be decided and started now before victims and caregivers alike, throw in the proverbial towel, and give up!
Organizational Trauma Informed Care evaluations are needed at Community, Organizational, Provincial and National level. This should be followed up with research based training and awareness with the development of Trauma Informed Care Systems and Principles (as outlined by Fallot and Harris in their CCTIC self-evaluation protocol guide.)