In 1997, the Thohoyandou Community Policing Forum together with the SAPS initiated the establishment of a Victim Empowerment Committee (VEC) in accordance with the provisions of the National Crime Prevention Strategy.  With seed funding from the Department of Health, the South African Police and local business, the first 24/7 One Stop Trauma Centre was opened at our regional hospital in September 2001, and “break the silence” campaigns were initiated.


The committee was registered as the Thohoyandou Victim Empowerment Trust in January 2002, with provision for a range of stakeholders to be co-opted as Trustees. The Programme is now managed by a team of 40 staff and 46 local volunteers. Voluntary Service Overseas and US Peace Corps have each provided us with resource volunteers, who assist in the building of in-house capacity.

Click here to download the TVEP Synopsis. For project specific information please see the Project Pages.