By Kaya 959 Reporter
South Africa remains on the back foot when it comes to eradicating violence against women and children despite GBV awareness programmes.
Advocacy groups are working hard to hold the government accountable for the commitments they have made.
This is according to Seugnette van Wyngaard, head at 1st for Women Insurance.
She says while civil society lobbies for change, violence against women and children continues unabated.
Lobby groups have seen a spike in cases over the December festive season.
“While we wait for action and accountability to protect women from the gbv pandemic, we need to do what we can to support the passionate activists and advocacy groups who work tirelessly to assist victims and survivors of GBV in South Africa,” she says.
The insurance company recently donated funds to the TEARS Foundation which helps GBV survivors.
Last year, the foundation received 42 962 calls for help during the festive season.
TEARS founder and CEO, Mara Glennie, says, most of the calls received were for domestic violence and sexual assault.
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Tough time during the holiday period
The latest crime statistics showed that nearly 10 000 women were raped in SA between July and September this year.
Meanwhile, 13 000 cases of domestic violence were reported and child murders also increased.
“Last year over the festive season, we were inundated with calls for help for gender-based violence, which was a 57% increase from November 2020 and a 117% increase from October 2020,” says Glennie.
She says each survivor’s experience and healing process is different and for some people, the holiday period may be an especially tough time.
“Simple safety tips, self-care strategies and the support of loved ones can sometimes make all the difference,” she adds.
Here’s what lobby group suggest you do to stop or eradicate abuse:
It is not your fault: When you are in an abusive relationship, you might find you blame yourself for it, because your partner manipulates you into believing it is your fault. Abuse is never your fault. There is nothing you could do or say that would make it okay for someone to hurt you in any way.
Do not feel guilty: Feeling guilty about the abuse can also make you feel shameful about opening up to others about it. There is nothing to be ashamed of. You did not choose to be in a relationship with an abuser. It is not your fault.
Make notes: Write down everything you can about the abusive incidents when your abuser is not around. Take screenshots of any abusive messages they send to you. If you are being physically abused, take pictures of the marks on your body, and go and see a healthcare practitioner. The evidence can help you when you need to file a report with the police or get a protection order. Even if you have not written anything down before, write down what you remember from previous abusive episodes. You might already have messages as proof, keep those too. Just remember to keep those notes and images out of your partner’s sight.
Safety planning: This is a crucial step for someone involved in an abusive relationship. Do not tell your partner that you are leaving them.
Trust your instincts: Practice how to get out safely, with your children.
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Help for victims and survivors
Glennie says parents should teach their children that violence is never right, even when someone they love is being violent.
“Tell them that neither you, nor they, are at fault or are the cause of the violence, and that when anyone is being violent, it is important to stay safe.
“Put together an emergency bag with money/credit cards/debit cards, extra keys, medicine, and important papers such as birth certificates. Keep it somewhere safe and accessible. Consider speaking to a trained domestic violence counsellor to create a detailed safety plan.”
For assistance, 24/7, 365 days a year, contact TEARS, which prioritises both access and privacy for victims and survivors of GBV.
Visit their website for more information or contact the group:
Dial: *134*7355#
Landline: 010 590 5920
Email: [email protected]
