Three Primary aspects are to be addressed in the services provided, with an additional leg that encompasses the overall vision, namely:
1.Health Issues
All pathogens are carried in the blood and some bodily fluids. The viruses and/or diseases that the deceased or injured is harboring is unknown to the first responders on a scene. This leaves those present in a vulnerable position of contracting a virus merely by position at this stage.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2015 stats, 3.1 million South Africans died as a result of Non-communicable, chronic illnesses and disease – a further 930 000 as a result of Injuries (road accidents, interpersonal violence and self-harm).
Lower Respiratory Tract infections was the highest cause of death, with HIV/AIDS the second highest and Diarrhoea diseases at 5th highest cause of death. With all these conditions there is an immunity breakdown and associated harmful pathogens are carried in the blood system.
Every person that was exposed to the post-death status in any of the above (not exclusively) was placed at a health risk
2.Victim Empowerment
Psychological and cultural responses to death and the aftermath thereof has far reaching effects on the survivors which could in turn result in repeated patterns, as in suicides and murders, that can debilitate a community. Addressing the psychological effects of death is vital in order to move victims and survivors past the devastating effects this has on one’s healthy integration into society and functionality as a healthy individual able to be of value to the community, their families and themselves.
A. Suicides have left South Africa 8th highest in the world (2015 WHO statistics) with 21 in every 100 000 males committing suicide, 5 x higher than that of females. 1 655 suicides between the ages of 15-24 were recorded in 2012. This number is under reported according to WHO;
B. Murders and Interpersonal Violence is on the increase and is not restricted to closed environments but done publicly, exposing all physically present a to media access in a vulnerable psychological state.
3.Vision of Educating and Empowering
A Volunteer based work program with a remuneration package. To provide a platform to educate and train individuals in a specific field on trauma cleaning, physical and psychological health and opening doors for additional education in their area of choice. Assisting in employment opportunities outside of South Africa.
PROVIDING THE SERVICES OF TRAUMA CLEANING & TRAUMA DEBRIEFING / COUNSELING
Trauma Cleaning and Counseling is an unknown and unplanned for event by the population at large. Awareness to both public and health organizations is the key to bring this to the market. Hand-in-hand is that of First Responders to scenes involving violence and death.
Due to the lack of awareness and until recently, the lack of demand within our immediate environment for this service, no forward planning nor allocation for these services have been identified and explored. With the increase in population, trio crimes, drugs and social interaction, it has become imperative to ensure that the aspect of correct cleaning and trauma debriefing is now made provision for within all market sectors – from domestic instances to deaths in vehicles, public facilities, business premises, hospitality environments and residential complexes.
Taking these facts into consideration there has been an increase in interest regarding these services via newspaper articles, a radio interview and TV documentary recently launched in South Africa.
The reality still remains, that although the mortality rate is still 100% no-one considers the circumstances of their death… we will all need to be removed from our place of death, taken to a mortuary and then proceed with the funeral. Someone will need to attend to what is left behind – both physically and psychologically.
It is as a result of the above factors that Trauma Cleansing has been established. The vision of working with the various Emergency services and First Responders to a scene in providing another tear of critical services in assisting the emergency response teams as well as the community with the final phase of responding to and addressing a traumatic occurrence.`
By aligning ourselves with the Emergency services and First Responders we hope to create an awareness of our services and the importance aspects of dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result of a traumatic event.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder does not only apply to the victims/survivors of an event where blood spills and bodily fluids require cleaning. The contract cleaning services are not equipped to correctly approach nor dispose of the remains in a medico-legal manner. It is often the case that the staff available have significant cultural and religious beliefs attached to death and blood. They are placed at a disadvantage of exploitation and psychological violation as they are employed as ‘cleaner’s’ and are therefore obliged to clean the after-affects in order to retain employment.