Gender-Based Violence in South Africa

Gender Based Violence is a traumatic experience that affects almost everyone in South Africa. You either know someone that is experiencing it or heard about someone that experienced it or read about it where they experience this trauma from their intimate partner. Sometimes it’s hard to tackle it because unless the person that is in that situation does something about, you can’t do much about  it but support the victim and be patient with them until they are ready to do something about it.

Gender-based violence in South African is often referred to as a second pandemic based on its common occurrence. One of the foremost renowned cases that has shaken the country in recent years was that of University of Cape Town student, Uyinene Mrwetyana, whose murder sparked national outrage and caused protests throughout the country calling for violence against women to end.

For those who are experiencing assault or have been assaulted (the word victim doesn’t sit well with me) find opening up about the experience difficult and emotional. Perhaps you could consider reaching out to people you trust, could be family colleagues or even a close neighbor to help you through the incident. Receiving the support of somebody you already trust is a crucial reminder that you simply aren't alone and may be helpful when it involves taking other sorts of action. Once you've got reached your tipping point and found someone you trust to open up to, you'll then consider further counselling options also legal action you would like to initiate.

Here are some national organizations and programmes that offer both legal and emotional counselling services for those who have experienced any form of GBV.
• People Opposing Women Abuse (POWA) is a national organization that provides counselling over the phone and in person.
• Lawyers Against Abuse is a organization that aims to assists survivors consider and perhaps pursue legal options in cases of GBV
• Sonke Gender Justice is a national gender advocacy organization which aims to achieve gender equality nationally and preventing GBV.
• Safer Spaces is an organization that stands against crime and aims to stop violence. It has compiled a national directory that survivors et al. who may have assistance can ask within the case of any violence that takes place within the country.
•There are also centers that offer assistance, these centers often have contacts for social workers and counselling programmes that they will put you in-tuned with. Where you can go if you have no place to turn to and there is nobody around that you trust to support you. There are many shelters for ladies and youngsters who have experienced abuse across the country. A number of those shelters offer more resources than refuge for victims of GBV, they're safe places where women are ready to find empowerment and regain their self-esteem. Here are some ( Polokego shelter for abused women and children, Sisters Incorporated , Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children )
• You can also reach out to the national Gender-Based Violence Command Centre (GBVCC), which has a 24-hour call center that offers immediate trauma counselling and assistance. The GBVCC also can reach out to the SAPS on your behalf and put you in touch with a caseworker
• You can contact the GBVCC on 0800 428 42 alternatively make use of their “Please Call Me” for them to call you back on *120*7867#

South African girls and ladies need to live without worrying of gender-based violence. If you or someone you recognize has experienced gender-based or sexual violence, you can call the SA National GBV helpline on 0800 150 150.

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