Rape Crisis Helderberg is a non-profit organisation committed to helping survivors of rape and abuse overcome their trauma through caring counselling in the Helderberg Basin and surroundings. The Crisis Centre offers these services free of charge and for individuals 18 years and above.
We offer free Counselling to past and present survivors of Sexual Assault, Child Abuse, Rape, Incest and GBV ER Number: 083 484 9409
Please reach out on WhatsApp t083 484 9409
Thank you to all who joined us for our AGM. We reported on essential data, statistics and shared heartfelt stories and even cried a little. We hope to carry on helping, inspiring and creating healing spaces where the wounded can heal. Check back for more and don't forget to follow us on Instagram. Stay Safe x
Research: Exploring What Works in South Africa & Worldwide
Research plays a crucial role in understanding and addressing sexual assault, rape and GBV in South Africa. By analysing crime, socio-economic factors, and the effectiveness of law enforcement strategies, researchers can provide valuable insights that inform policy decisions. This knowledge helps to develop targeted interventions aimed at reducing the rates of sexually related crimes and enhancing community safety. Ultimately, informed research is essential for building a safer and more just society.
Barriers to Justice: Rape in Africa, Law,Practice and Access to Justice
This groundbreaking report on rape in Africa analyses sexual violence laws and law enforcement practices across 47 countries in Africa against regional and international human rights commitments and best practices.
Guide to Interviewing Sex Offenders
What Training Does SAPS have in line with this pertinent guide which highlights the necessary requirements which aids in the apprehension of offenders?
The main art of questioning sex offenders, in other words, is the art of having the kind of professional training, sex experience and attitudes, and personality characteristics which, almost automatically, make it a natural, easy, and unembarassing task for the questioner to face his informant, to win his confidence, to show him that he has non-judgemental attitudes toward his desires and acts, and to handle any difficult situations that may arise in the course of the interview. Without this kind of background, all possible "technique" is not going to make one an effective interrogator; with this background, whatever one's "technique," it is not easy to go too far wrong (Ellis 1954).
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DASH ; Risk Identification and Assessment and Management Model
Risk identification and assessment is not a predictive process and there is no existing accurate procedure to calculate or foresee which cases will result in homicide or further assault and harm.
The DASH (2009-2024) Risk Checklist was created by Laura Richards, BSc, MSc, FRSA on behalf of NPCC and in partnership with Safe Lives.
DASH was initially created for the police by those in the police service. However risk assessment and management is a multi-agency process and a shared language is needed which is why the DASH was evolved and developed to be used as a multi-agency tool. The DASH is a lifeline for many victims. The questions and answers are important, so too is the action that you take. Please ensure you are trained and accredited to use the DASH Risk Model.
The DASH training has been university accredited by the University of Brighton. It has received the ‘REQ’ kite mark – recognizing educational quality. If you were trained more than a year ago to use the DASH, you need refresher training.
A GUIDE TO INTERVIEWING SEX OFFENDERS
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO HAVE THE NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE AND TRAINING IN INTERVIEWING SEX OFFENDERS?
When conducting an interview with a sex offender, it is essential that investigating officers have sufficient knowledge about sex offender typologies to be able to understand their subject and plan the interview accordingly. For instance, since the vast majority of sexual assault cases are concerned with the issue of consent, it is often a good tactic to downplay the seriousness of the situation in the interview. By implying that the case does not sound like “real rape” and that the interviewer shares the same views on women and sex as the offender, the investigating officer may be able to elicit incriminating statements from the accused (The National Center for Women and Policing: 2001).
Once the suspect has been apprehended, an interview is conducted. Very often this interview can make or break a case, depending on the interviewing skills of the investigating officer. According to Howell (2014), interviewing a sex offender is a true art form and is very different from interviewing suspects in other types of crimes. Since it is difficult to question a normal individual in society about their sexual activities, and due to the fact that sex offenders in particular have an obvious reason to lie and provide misleading information, it would seem that the interviewing of sex offenders should only be done by professionally trained and experienced personnel. The reality though is that sex offenders are routinely interviewed by police and officials who do not have the requisite knowledge and skills to obtain information from them.
Since it is difficult to question a normal individual in society about their sexual activities, and due to the fact that sex offenders in particular have an obvious reason to lie and provide misleading information, it would seem that the interviewing of sex offenders should only be done by professionally trained and experienced personnel. The reality though is that sex offenders are routinely interviewed by police and officials who do not have the requisite knowledge and skills to obtain information from them. When conducting an interview with a sex offender, it is essential that investigating officers have sufficient knowledge about sex offender typologies to be able to understand their subject and plan the interview accordingly. For instance, since the vast majority of sexual assault cases are concerned with the issue of consent, it is often a good tactic to downplay the seriousness of the situation in the interview. By implying that the case does not sound like “real rape” and that the interviewer shares the same views on women and sex as the offender, the investigating officer may be able to elicit incriminating statements from the accused (The National Center for Women and Policing: 2001). Who should conduct the interview with the sex offender As mentioned above, investigating officers who interview sex offenders must have sufficient training and expertise, as well as particular personality traits that make them more able to communicate with these types of offenders. Ellis (1954: 41) has identified the following requirements: They must have adequate training, including some experience in one of the psychological disciplines. They should be individuals who have a reasonably active sex life and who have no serious sex problems.
They should have a liberal attitude to sex and not be judgmental about acts like exhibitionism, homosexuality and pornography. They should have a good understanding of sex and sexual development. They should be stable and not aggressive, and be able to gain and maintain rapport with sex offenders. They should be able to talk about sex in a very down-to-earth way without being embarrassed or inhibited. They must have a well developed sense of intuition and be able to sense when their questions have made an impact and which questions should be followed up or dropped. They must be able to deal with traumatic material and emotionally-laden interviews. “The main art of questioning sex offenders, in other words, is the art of having the kind of professional training, sex experience and attitudes, and personality characteristics which, almost automatically, make it a natural, easy, and unembarassing task for the questioner to face his informant, to win his confidence, to show him that he has non-judgmental attitudes toward his desires and acts, and to handle any difficult situations that may arise in the course of the interview. Without this kind of background, all possible "technique" is not going to make one an effective interrogator; with this background, whatever one's "technique," it is not easy to go too far wrong.” (Ellis 1954: 42).