New champion for Far North victims

Victim Support has stepped up a notch in the very Far North with the appointment of Sandra Joe as a paid field officer, to lead the volunteers who are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Mrs Joe and her husband Earl, the newly-appointed pastor at Kaitaia Family Church, have moved north from Hawke's Bay, where she, a trained counsellor, was already working in the field of supporting families in crisis, but she acknowledged last week that her new job was a big one.

"There seems to be a lot going on here. A lot of people need help," she said.

"The biggest thing a lot of people need is hope, and that is where Victim Support can help."

Mrs Joe (nee Harris) and the volunteers - currently there are only two - are trained to provide support in response to 'immediate' trauma, then on an on-going basis through the court process, preparing victim impact statements and counselling, whenever and wherever they are needed. Her first tasks, however, will be to strengthen the volunteer roster and raise the organisation's profile.

"Five more volunteers would be fantastic," she said, adding that those doing the work needed to be empathetic, good listeners, emotionally intelligent and available when needed. She will be at her post, in an office at the Kaitaia police station, for 25 hours a week, but the service is available 24/7, week, with the emphasis on assisting victims achieve safety, healing, justice and resolution.

It wasn't too much of a stretch, Mrs Joe added, to describe her arrival in Kaitaia as something of a home coming. Her father's family marae was at Otaua, near Kaikohe, so she was not entirely a stranger to the Far North.

And when she wasn't working she would likely be found on the golf course, walking by the sea or indulging her passion for handcraft, an interest that she will be looking to share with others through the church.

Victim Support in the Far North is currently looking for prospective volunteers to take part in a training programme over November 15-17. There will be no cost to those taking part; phone 0800 VOLUNTEER for details.

Anyone needing help from Victim Support should phone 0800 VICTIM (0800 842-846).