Honeydew Trauma Unit

When a survivor of gender-based violence or sexual assault walks into SAPS Honeydew, they do not have to report in the main charge office, in full view of other members of the public. South African law and SAPS policy guarantee every GBV and sexual offence victim the right to report in a Victim Friendly Room (VFR) — a private, dedicated space designed to reduce secondary victimisation and allow survivors to tell their story in conditions of safety, dignity, and confidentiality.

What is a Victim Friendly Room?

A Victim Friendly Room is a secure, private room at a SAPS station — distinct from the charge office — where survivors of GBV, domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, and child abuse can:

• Make their statement in private, without other members of the public present
• Be attended to by specially trained officers and social workers who are equipped to respond to trauma with sensitivity
• Receive initial crisis support and psychosocial care while at the station
• Be connected to emergency medical services, including for forensic examination (J88 form), SAK (sexual assault kit), PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV, must start within 72 hours), and emergency contraception
• Receive information about their rights, including protection orders, court processes, and available shelter and counselling services
• Be referred onward to shelter, counselling, legal support, or other services as needed

The SAPS policy Reducing Barriers to the Reporting of Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence specifically instructs all stations to ensure survivors are not turned away or redirected to handle abuse "privately." GBV is a criminal matter, and every survivor has the right to official police response.

SAPS Honeydew and the NCVT

The National Crime Prevention Trust (NCVT) operates Victim Friendly Rooms at SAPS Honeydew (Plot 3 Juice Street, tel 011 801-8400) as well as at multiple other Gauteng stations. NCVT-trained practitioners staff these rooms and provide direct survivor support — including crisis counselling, referral navigation, and accompaniment through the initial reporting process.

Honeydew precinct coverage

SAPS Honeydew covers a wide western Johannesburg footprint: Honeydew, Kimbult, Little Falls, Strubens Valley, Wilgeheuwel, Radiokop, Ruimsig, and adjoining areas. Survivors from anywhere in this precinct can present at the station at any time.

Key contacts at a glance

| Unit | Number | |---|---| | SAPS Honeydew (main) | 011 801-8430 / 011 801-8431 | | NCVT VFR direct | 011 801-8400 | | Station Commander | 011 801-8421 / 082 778 9065 | | FCS (Family Violence / Sexual Offences) | 011 801-8587 / 082 568 4589 | | Emergency | 10111 | | GBV Command Centre (toll-free, 24/7) | 0800 428 428 | | NSMSA Shelter Helpline (24/7) | 0800 001 005 |

What to bring (sexual assault)

If you have been sexually assaulted, try to go to the station or a hospital as soon as possible. Do not bathe, shower, change clothes, eat, drink, or brush your teeth before a forensic examination — this preserves evidence. If you cannot get to a station yourself, call 10111 and SAPS will come to you. PEP for HIV must be started within 72 hours of assault — the sooner the better.

Honeydew Trauma Unit / SAPS Honeydew VFR: 011 801-8430 / 011 801-8431 / NCVT VFR: 011 801-8400 / Plot 3 Juice Street, Kimbult, Honeydew, 2040. 24-hour station. Victim Friendly Room available. GBV Command Centre: 0800 428 428 (toll-free, 24/7). Emergency: 10111.