OUR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
First Response
In December 2014 , Victim Support Service ( VSS ) received funding from DCSI ’ s Community Benefit Program to implement training to establish a new Volunteer Program within VSS .
The First Response Volunteer Training Program was designed to recruit and train new volunteers to provide short-term emotional support , information , practical advice and referral to victims of crime to increase VSS engagement and support of volunteers , improve wellbeing , community safety and access to support services .
As a part of this new initiative the target group for the program was people who lived in Western Adelaide who have experienced property crimes that do not involve violence i . e . property crime that include :
• damage or attempted damage
• arson or attempted arson
• theft , fraud (‘ identity theft ’)
• offences of property ( vehicles )
• trespass ( residential , sport / club or business property )
• damage or loss sustained during this crime does not exceed $ 30,000.00 .
As a result of the First Response Program , two groups of new volunteers were trained in the Program with a team of six core volunteers maintaining First Response throughout . Since the program , First Response volunteers continued to be involved with VSS supporting victims of crime through events management ( e . g . SALA exhibition ).
The First Response Program included training of 142 SAPOL Patrol officers in the Western Adelaide Local Service Area and information and education for general members of the public . The result of this community awareness program is an increased understanding of the role of VSS , how VSS can support victims of crime and how to refer clients to VSS .
“ I Felt well supported and encouraged ”
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“ The training enthused me for the role ”
“ my knowledge to assist those in need has been enhanced ”
“ I enjoyed the training and learned a lot ”