Cape Times E-dition

NICRO strives to break the cycle of crime and violence in South Africa

SOUTH AFRICA has one of the highest crime rates in the world, compounded by poverty and a criminal justice system that struggles to function with limited resources. South Africans recognise crime as an issue of grave national concern and one of the greatest challenges facing our country.

Crime affects the lives of every South African on a daily basis. Whether as victim, witness, perpetrator or family member – it places a social and economic burden on our society.

South Africans passionately aspire to live in a safe environment and NICRO provides lasting solutions to crime by turning people’s lives around and in this way, breaking the cycle of crime.

Why is NICRO’s work important in building a safe and thriving South Africa for all?

Established more than a century ago, NICRO is one of the largest, longest surviving and truly South African non-profit organisations. Since its establishment in 1910, NICRO under the banner For a Safe South Africa, has fought relentlessly for the rights of all who are affected by crime and violence. The organisation has tirelessly pioneered reform in the criminal justice field and has provided a wide range of quality services and added value to our communities.

As NICRO continues into its second century of service delivery, the organisation recommits itself to its vision of a world without crime or violence, where we can all live in safety, thrive and prosper.

NICRO provides constructive solutions to breaking the vicious cycle of crime and violence in our communities. It’s solution is based on the assertion that the causes of crime are complex and deep-rooted, and that successful prevention and early intervention services require a range of approaches that are tailor-made to address specific conditions.

Why is it important to do preventative work and early intervention?

NICRO’s prevention and early intervention programmes provide vulnerable and at-risk individuals with a range of developmental and therapeutic interventions. This ensures that individuals can successfully turn their lives around and refrain from slipping further into the downward spiral of crime. NICRO does this by affording them the opportunity of rewriting their stories through developing essential lifeskills, attitudes and values that equip them to manage life’s challenges successfully, improve themselves, overcome their weaknesses, function well in their environment, succeed in school/work and realise their full potential.

NICRO has four service streams:

1. Community crime and violence prevention – to prevent the occurrence of crime and violence. This stream targets individuals, families and communities, schools and service providers focusing on raising awareness about crime and violence, identifying and addressing risk factors, and negative influences. 2. Criminal Justice Services – to provide alternative options to the court to address the criminogenic needs of offenders (characteristics, traits or issues that directly relate to the individual’s likelihood to commit crime and can be targeted for change) and support services to victims. This stream targets individuals in conflict with the law, individuals guilty of an offence, victims, individuals reporting possible crimes and stakeholders (for capacity building purposes).

3. Reintegration and Restoration – to facilitate the successful re-entry of former offenders into society by addressing their needs, supporting families and providing community restorative services, which target former offenders released from prison, high and medium-risk individuals, families and community members.

4. Personal Growth, Wellness and Professional Development – to provide psycho-educational training and treatment programmes that address mental health issues and promote wellness and healthy lifestyles, personal growth and professional development. This targets individuals, families and staff members at corporate concerns.

NICRO aims to create a world without crime and violence, and it’s safer schools safety ambassador at a “Save a Child Campaign’’ testified on how the campaign helped her walk away from a life of crime and selling drugs, and changed her focus to building a new future.

“I am who I am, and I am not determined by my past. I have fought against my past and now have a good example for my future.

“Have you ever done bad things in your life that affected your childhood? Well, I have - I sold drugs. I have also been a robber. I have never needed anything in my life, but I was lonely even if my parents gave me everything. But I needed more,” she says.

“Thank you NICRO for my key to life.” A participant in one of NICRO’s responsible driving programmes says: “I believe that this programme has given me a huge wake-up call and has made me realise that anything is possible. This programme was extremely beneficial and it will have an everlasting effect on me”.

Many participants thanked the NICRO programme for the opportunity.

Give NICRO a call if:

• You need assistance with corporate

interventions, training and wellness programmes, counselling or find yourself in conflict with the law;

• You are concerned about your child,

partner, relative or a friend, especially those who are at risk or showing signs of antisocial behaviour such as drug or substance abuse, violent behaviour, rebelliousness, theft, poor school engagement and truancy, conduct that is in conflict with the law or outside of what society expects, and traffic offences.

You can call 021 422 1690 or email info@nicro.co.za or alternatively visit www.nicro.org.za for more information.

GOOD WORK

en-za

2021-05-07T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-05-07T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://capetimes.pressreader.com/article/282037625034769

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