European Day of the Victim: Police Ostend has a professional team for victim care

The Ostend police has a professional team that takes care of victims or surviving relatives, almost every week. But social media throws a spanner in the works when it comes to efficient victim care.

Serious traffic accidents, assault, murder, rape or suicide. Bringing bad news to family members never gets used to. The Ostend police has a professional victim care team of 14 police officers, who are trained to assist victims and surviving relatives. And the team can be called up day and night.

“As far as calling in our victim team is concerned, you can count on us having to call in the team at least once a week. If you also look at the fact that we work in partnership with the surrounding police zones, I thought that last year we have engaged the team,” said Chief of Police Philip Caestecker.

The mental impact on the bereaved is enormous. The care team always finds itself in a difficult situation and has to deal with the first reactions.

New is the aftercare for the police officers, who experience the emotional events up close and are also impressed themselves. In 90% of the cases, the police are thanked afterwards, because the next of kin and victims have benefited greatly from victim care.