The implementation of the various alert level restrictions by the National Government to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic during the festive season, in particular, has made access to support services for women experiencing gender-based violence more challenging with earlier curfews, making it more difficult for victims of abuse and violence to leave their homes during certain hours of the day.
In spite of these restrictions, the Western Cape Department of Social Development remained committed to providing support to victims and survivors of crime and violence, including Gender-Based Violence, as well as their families, to deal with the impact of the incident which they have experienced.
The Gender-Based Violence Command Centre (GBVCC) operates under the Department of Social Development. The Centre operates a National, 24hr/7days-a-week Call Centre facility. The facility employs social workers who are responsible for call-taking and call referrals.
The Centre is able to refer calls directly to SAPS (10111) and field Social Workers who respond to victims of GBV.
The table below provides the total number of gender-based violence cases the National GBV Command Call-Centre referred to the Provincial Department of Social Development in the Western Cape during the period October 2020 – January 2021.
(Please see attached document for more information)
INCIDENT TYPE |
NUMBER OF TICKETS |
||||
Oct-20 |
Nov-20 |
Dec-20 |
Jan-21 |
TOTAL |
|
Abandoned Children |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Assault |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
6 |
Bullying |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
Child Neglect |
2 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
7 |
Elderly Neglect |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
5 |
Emotional Abuse |
6 |
2 |
15 |
6 |
29 |
Indecent Assault |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Physical Violence |
15 |
17 |
32 |
19 |
83 |
Rape/Corrective Rape |
1 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
12 |
Stalking |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
Verbal Abuse Or Intimidation |
5 |
0 |
4 |
6 |
15 |
TOTAL NO. CASES |
33 |
27 |
57 |
45 |
162 |
Research shows that the prevalence of under-reporting of abuse and violence continues to persist - not only in South Africa but globally too. Many people who are subjected to gender-based violence often do not seek support, frequently because they fear further violence and discrimination, or because they have no confidence in the justice system.
“In any instance where women and/or children are known to be victims of violence and abuse, we urge all members of the public to report these incidences via one of the many available reporting lines,” said the Western Cape Minister for Social Development, Sharna Fernandez.
“Addressing GBV is an important, long-term societal challenge. In acknowledging the scale of the challenge, the Western Cape Government’s operational and analytical work has expanded considerably in recent years. We are in the process of finalising the Province’s first-ever GBV transversal implementation plan, to help address the scourge of violence against women and children,” concluded Minister Fernandez.
Who can get help?
Anyone who has suffered physical, mental or emotional harm, including the economic loss or substantial impairment of their fundamental rights, through crime or violence.
The Department of Social Development’s Victim Empowerment Programme, supported by funded NGOs in the Western Cape, offers a variety of services which include:
A shelter is a place where victims of crime and violence are able to live for a period of one day up to approximately 3 months depending on the needs of the victims.
The shelter assists with meeting basic needs such as:
A shelter for victims of crime and violence does not provide statutory services to children, therefore shelters cannot accommodate children without their parents/ legal guardians.
Where to go for Help?
Joshua Covenant Chigome
Spokesperson for the Minister of Social Development, Minister Sharna Fernandez
Tel: 021 483 9217
Cell: 083 661 4949