Online Reporter
Peter Matika, [email protected]
BULAWAYO business woman and founder of Mental Voices Trust, Mrs Sipho Mazibuko, has reached out to the police’s Victim Friendly Unit for a partnership to provide essential counselling services to victims of rape and gender-based violence related incidents.
With a deep commitment to mental health and well-being, Mrs Mazibuko, views this potential partnership as a crucial step towards creating a supportive network for victims of traumatic experiences.
She told Chronicle that her vision is to ensure that individuals who have been impacted by rape and related incidents have access to professional counselling that can help them navigate through their trauma and begin the healing process.
“As someone who believes in the power of mental health support, I am dedicated to helping those who have experienced such trauma to find solace and healing,” she said.
“Collaborating with the police Victim Friendly Unit will extend our reach and provide impactful assistance to those in distress,” Mrs Mazibuko said.
The proposed partnership between Mental Voices Trust and the police Victim Friendly Unit aims to establish a streamlined system for victims to receive counselling services in a safe and welcoming environment.
Mrs Mazibuko said she hopes to create a supportive network that emphasises compassion, understanding and empowerment for survivors of rape and related incidents.
“The Victim Friendly Unit is renowned for its commitment to assisting victims of crime with compassion and professionalism. By joining the unit, we can further enhance its services and provide comprehensive support to those in need,” said Mrs Mazibuko.
She said her organisation seeks to extend its services to those who have experienced gender-based violence and other forms of abuse since 2020.
“We aim to collaborate with the Victim Friendly Unit to extend our services to individuals who have experienced GBV and other forms of abuse since 2020.
“This initiative will involve creating a confidential support channel. This platform will provide survivors with a secure space for healing, allowing them to access counselling and support anonymously,” said Mrs Mazibuko.
She added that her organisation will assist in sharing educational content obtained from counsellors and psychiatrists.
“They will provide insightful teachings through our Facebook and WhatsApp platforms to help victims understand and overcome their trauma. We will also be providing one-on-one support,” said Mrs Mazibuko.
“Our officers will conduct personal visits to survivors, offering life skills training and helping them start income-generating projects as a form of empowerment and therapy,” she added.
Mrs Mazibuko also said the Victim Friendly Unit will facilitate referrals to Mental Voices Trust, allowing survivors to benefit from free counselling, psychiatric evaluations and life skills training.
