Volunteer group to be trained by police psychologists to help victims of crime

A small group of the public will be trained by police psychologists to provide care for victims of crime, especially those who have been through sexual or violent crime.

Some 10 to 15 people, as part of a voluntary programme, will be trained to provide a listening ear, and empathize with these victims, who may have been rape victims or may have lost a family member in a murder for example.

Speaking at the opening of the Asian Conference of Criminal and Operations Psychology on Tuesday morning, Second Minister for Home Affairs Mr S. Iswaran said that having such a group of people will help the victims, and also allow police officers to focus their resources on investigations.

He added that police psychologists are collaborating with the police national service department to develop mental health systems that will help them adjust to policing work.

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