SUBANG JAYA, Dec 11 — Sixteen police stations in Selangor have been equipped with triage rooms to better serve traumatised victims lodging police reports.

Selangor police chief Datuk Abdul  Samah Mat said the triage rooms would be used for victims of kidnappings or sexual abuse or their family members, and young children. 

“When traumatised people come to seek our help, they will first be taken to the triage room where they will be assisted by professionally-trained counselling officers,” he said. 

“The officers can calm the emotionally unstable victim before he or she lodges the report.”

Abdul Samah said investigations could be done more thoroughly when the victims were calm. 

“When the victim is emotionally stable, they could give more information that can probably help police solve the matter faster,” he said. 

The triage rooms, first introduced by police in 2011, have proved to be vital in assisting crime victims. 

Abdul Samah said victims of crimes such as kidnapping or sexual abuse who were too distraught, traumatised or injured, would surely require counselling.

These specialised rooms will also grant privacy to children, elderly citizens, disabled people and pregnant women. 

“Traumatised victims would no longer need to wait for their turn to lodge a report,” he said. 

Having them separated from others at the police station would also reduce their stress levels. 

Selected officers from each district have gone through formal training in counselling. At least two officers will be assigned to head the triage room. 

However, Abdul Samah said if someone needed professional counselling beyond the officer’s ability, Bukit Aman’s Religion and Counselling Division, and Integrity and Standard Compliance Department (JIPS) would be assigned to the case.

“We hope by continuing this initiative throughout Selangor, we will be able to carry out investigations more effectively.”

Abdul Samah said there were 84 police stations in Selangor and police are working on expanding this initiative to the remaining 68 stations.

The seven districts equipped with triage rooms are Shah Alam, Gombak, Subang Jaya, Petaling Jaya, Serdang, Kajang and Ampang Jaya.