Trauma room gets necessary facelift

GREAT BRAK RIVIER NEWS - The South African Police Service (SAPS) and social workers collaborate to deal with community problems, in particular, domestic violence and gender-based violence.

The trauma room at, for instance, the Great Brak River Police Station, plays a significant role in assisting victims of abuse.

Sergeant Laurianne Botha is the spokesperson for Great Brak River Police and is involved in combatting social crime, among other types of crime. The police station only has a staff complement of 38 members, of which Botha is solely responsible for the interaction with the communities when it comes to abuse of any nature, whether it is against women, children, or men.

In the trauma room at the station, people can come for protection and assistance at any hour of the day. It is here that the first light of hope can be found by the victim. Often the victims have to be medically examined at the Mossel Bay Provincial Hospital and therefore the trauma room needs to be experienced as an interim place of safety.

The SAPS trauma room in Great Brak has a couch and a lockable cupboard with supplies of toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, face cloths, sanitary pads, panties, toys and small blankets. A play area has been provided for children.

There is a constant need for sanitary pads, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, face cloths and towels, as well as toys, colouring-in books and crayons for the children.

The trauma room also deals with families who have lost their homes for one reason or another, and therefore there is a further need for blankets, clothing, curtains and other household items. Donations can also be in the form of paint, labour, tinned foods and a small fridge.

Marilyn Collins, founder of Frolicking Ladies.

Frolicking Ladies

The trauma room has had a facelift as a result of an initiative by the Frolicking Ladies of the Midbrak area. At a meeting of the Frolicking Ladies in November 2021, Botha addressed the ladies on the role of the facility.

It came to light that the room was carpeted previously, which was not conducive to hygiene as the room is where abuse victims are interviewed and often they are injured and bleeding. Tiles were donated by an anonymous entity and labour for the preparation and laying of tiles was gifted by a company in Great Brak River. New blinds too, have been donated.

The refurbished trauma room was officially opened on Friday, 29 April by the acting station commander, Warrant Officer Seconds, to coincide with the end of Victims' Rights Week.

The opening ceremony was attended by ladies from the Midbrak area, as well as representatives from Social Welfare (Amy Jansen and Elvedia Gabriels), the Great Brak Business Forum (Basil Riddel), the chairman and vice-chair of the Community Policing Forum (Eric Scott and Kobus Kuyler), CANSA (Cecile Waite and Lucia du Plessis), NG Church Reebok (Trudie Jooste), Eden Knitwits (Jeni Joubert), as well as members of the Great Brak Police Station. A candle was lit and a minute's silence was held for deceased victims of abuse.

Donations to the trauma room are being sought from the community as well as Great Brak businesses to support this drive to build a meaningful relationship with the local police so the police, businesses and the community can stand together.

Donations can be handed over directly to SAPS Great Brak, clearly marked for the attention of Sgt Botha. Alternatively, contact Marilyn Collins, founder of Frolicking Ladies (084 513 4122).

Knitted soft toys at the trauma room.