The National Lockdown has had a huge impact on the number of reported domestic violence cases in South Africa. Back in 2018, a report by the UNDOC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime) found that almost six out of 10 women intentionally killed are murdered by an intimate partner or family member. Now the great sadness that comes with COVID-19 is that women are experiencing domestic violence in their own homes, isolated from people and the resources that could help them.

The shocking numbers…

According to People Opposing Women Abuse (POWA), one in six women are regularly abused at home by their partners in South Africa. And in the last couple of days, approximately 87 000 gender-based violence cases have been reported to the police. The United Nations Women organisation has urged governments across the world to include prevention of violence against women in their action plans on COVID-19 and consider shelters and helplines as essential services.

READ MORE: 3 Women Reveal What It’s REALLY Like To Live With An Abusive Partner

So, what is the SA Government doing?

The South African government has created 51 Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs). All Thuthuzela Care Centres are open as essential services 24 hours for women needing assistance. Let’s flatten the curve of abuse against women and children. If you or someone you know is being mistreated, here’s what to do.

– Toll-free line: 0800 042 8428.

– Call or send a ‘please call me’ to *120* 7867# free from any cellphone.

READ MORE: 9 Signs That You Could Be In An Abusive Relationship

South African organisations offering assistance

1/ Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust (RCCTT)

The Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust has a 24-hour lockdown service with three phone lines and a Whatsapp line for texts.

Get in touch

Whatsapp line: 083 222 5164

Telephone: 021 447 9762

Email: communications@rapecrisis.org.za

 

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All Thuthuzela Care Centres will remain open during the COVID-19 lockdown period as an essential service to support rape survivors. Swipe next to view the national list. What is a Thuthuzela Care Centre? A Thuthuzela Care Centre is a designated forensic and medical service available to rape survivors as an emergency service in the 72 hours immediately after a rape. They are based at 54 hospitals across South Africa. Read more: https://bit.ly/39JQs4a #COVID19 #RapeCrisis #TCC #LockDownSA #GBV

A post shared by Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust (@rapecrisis_capetown) on Apr 4, 2020 at 8:55am PDT

2/ Sonke Gender Justice Network

The Sonke Gender Justice Network works to prevent domestic and sexual violence, reduce the spread and impact of HIV and AIDS and promote gender equality and human rights.

Get in touch

Telephone: 0800 333 059

3/ POWA (People Opposing Women Abuse)

POWA will be available to receive cases of gender-based violence and offer counselling to victims.

Get in touch

Telephone: 011 642 4345/6

Email: info@powa.co.za

 

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TRIGGER WARNING! This is the reality for many people! There was a crisis before Covid 19! The DSD command centre number is 0800 428 428 or call @powa_za and speak to a trained counselor! #powa #endgbv #0800428428

A post shared by POWA (@powa_za) on Apr 6, 2020 at 11:42pm PDT

4/ Tears Foundation

The Tears Foundation provides access to crisis intervention impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault and child sexual abuse. The organisation links victims to emergency shelters and provides 24-hour assistance.

Get in touch

Dial *134*7355# to find a care facility near you.

5/ Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children (SBCWC)

The Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children provides a 24-hour crisis response for women and their children who are being abused in their homes. There are trained staff members on duty at all times and the facility is open all year, including public holidays.

Get in touch

Toll-free: 0800 150 150

Telephone: 021 633 5287

6/ The Frida Hartley Shelter

The Frida Hartley Shelter is a safe haven for abused and vulnerable women and their children. The shelter empowers homeless women with the necessary skills to become members of society.

Email: Cheryl@fridahartley.org

Telephone: 011 648 6005

 

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Since the inception of the Lockdown , South African police services have received 87000 calls related to Gender Based Violence. FHS is dedicated to ending the scourge of GBV & we can not do this without your support. Our organization aims to provide a safe haven for volnerable women and children so they can break the cycle of abuse and start a new life. For more information on how you can help or donate please visit www.fridahartley.org Freedom can not be achieved unless the women have been imancipated from all forms of oppression. Nelson Mandela

A post shared by Frida Hartley Shelter (@fridahartley) on Apr 2, 2020 at 11:30pm PDT

7/ Masimanyane Women’s Rights International

Masimanyane works to end violence against women and to advance the human rights of women and girls. All their counselling staff will be on call on their phones to answer calls from those seeking assistance.

Get in touch

8/ The Social Makeover

The Social Makeover is supporting women with a once-off social grant of R180 to provide for some of their basic needs during the lockdown period. Help sponsor a woman in need (see below).

Get in touch

Email: info@thesocialmakeover.org

 

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DONATE towards our SUPPORTHer campaign and lighten the burden of many women and their families during this unprecedented time. . . During crises, women act as leaders in their communities and in frontline services. What are some of the unique risks they must manage in the face of COVID-19? 1. Violence against women increases as households are placed under economic strain. In the past week, South Africa has received more than 87 000 reported cases. 2. Women play a disproportionate role in disease response. Their essential roles as health professionals and community volunteers place them at an increased risk of infection. 3. Women are hit harder by an economic fallout as they work disproportionately in insecure labour. Lockdowns can prevent them from meeting their families basic needs. 4. When health services are overstretched, services for women and girls suffer. Essential resources may be diverted from pre- and post- natal health care, and sexual and reproductive health services. At The Social Makeover, we believe that a GENDER-CONSCIOUS APROACH TO COVID-19 is imperative. We are supporting our women with a once off social grant of R180 to provide for some of their basic needs during the lockdown period and invite you to JOIN US. All women that will benefit from this grant have gone through the necessary vetting processes to ensure that the funds are used for its intended purpose. This project is an initiative of The Social Makeover, A women’s rights and wellbeing social concept advancing the female agenda in Africa. Donate via Snapscan – https://pos.snapscan.io/qr/StWKZHeR or make payment into our banking account details provided in the poster. #SupportHer #StayAtHome #EndCOVID19

A post shared by The Social Makeover (@the_social_makeover) on Apr 7, 2020 at 1:18am PDT

9/ The National Shelter Movement of South Africa

The National Shelter Movement of South Africa are advocates for gender-based violence and provide shelters for abused women and their children in South Africa.

Get in touch

Telephone: 011 854 5804/5 or 082 903 8739

10/ Nonceba Family Counselling Centre

The Nonceba Family Counselling Centre is a shelter for abused women and their children. The shelter provides counselling services to residents as well as the broader Khayelitsha community.

Get in touch

Email: admin@nonceba.org

Telephone: 021 364 0135 or 021 364 4349