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About Us:
1. History | 2. Objectives | 3. What we do | 4. How we do it
1. History
Child Survivors of Crime (CSOC) is a sister organisation to Child Victims of Crime (CVoC), a registered charity in the United Kingdom. CSOC has taken this model and adapted it to South Africa?s unique situation and environment, and although CSOC operates independently and autonomously, CVoC has provided a tested model and offers valued support to CSOC.
CVoC itself started after a terrorist bomb exploded in Warrington, Cheshire, killing 2 boys and injuring scores of others, in March 1993. As so often happens in such circumstances, the public reached out in the only way they could: they sent money. Two British officers collected these donations and, by also organising various fundraising events, were able to directly benefit 34 child victims of crime.
In early 2010, the idea and principles of CVoC inspired a group of business people to investigate the need for, and possibility of, establishing a similar charity in South Africa. It was soon apparent that with the high incidence of violent crime, South African children often find their childhoods destroyed. Struggling with the devastating after-effects of crimes committed against them, or against their families, these young survivors often face challenging new realities and a precarious future.
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2. Objectives
The main objective is provide support for children under the age of 18 who have been directly or indirectly affected, or traumatised by, any criminal offence committed in South Africa. The manner in which CSOC provides this support is through education and therapeutic intervention, encouragement of social inclusion and community re-integration, alleviation of physical suffering, and to raise awareness of personal safety.
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3. What we do:
CSOC gives these children a rainbow after the storm. By making these children?s lives a little easier and giving much needed support, CSOC will equip them with the tools they require to cope with the challenges that may still be ahead. The support network will aid in strengthening families that have been shattered by crime, and ensure that their education is not jeopardised, and that basic needs are met.
CSOC will work at bolstering the relationship between the South African Police Services (SAPS) and crime survivors, as well as reducing the number of victims through safety and awareness education campaigns in schools.
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4. How we do it:
The process is set in motion by a Survivor Nominator, and the children who have been affected are nominated in terms of a set of criteria which will then be assessed by CSOC. Nominations will only be accepted with a legitimate SA Police Service case number, meaning that the crime would have to have been reported. The Survivor Nominator (which typically would be the Investigating Officer) should be a person close to the child, someone who understands the level of pain and suffering that the child is experiencing. The Survivor Nominator is often the best person to suggest the optimum way to put a little pleasure and normality back into the child?s life.
From there on, the support offered to a traumatised child is limited only by the amount of funding that is available. CSOC will remain sensitive to the individual needs of the nominated child, and focus on where it will have the most encouraging or positive impact on their lives.
As a guide to potential Survivor Nominators, the types of benefits available through CSOC are:
- Education: access to a tutor, partial or full bursary
- Skills development: educational camps, inspirational sessions, skills workshop, emotional wellbeing, etc.
- Psychological assistance: emotional support
- Material assistance: school books, clothes, blankets, compassion packs, etc.
- Recreational Day Out: visits to the zoo, cinema, a special meal out, a day at a theme park with their hero
- Survivor specific: relating to specific needs and interests of the child
- Other: appropriate ad-hoc determined from time to time
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