Blog | Covid-19 and its Impact on Gender Based Violence

The Effect of the Lockdown on Victims of Abuse

The South African government’s swift and ruthless response to the Covid-19 outbreak was praised by numerous South Africans. A great deal of the South African population fundamentally believed that the imposition of the lockdown would essentially disrupt the chain of transmission which as is evidenced has been the case. For this sector of the population the demand made by the government for South Africans to remain within the sanctity of their own home therefore appeared to be a reasonable and valid request to “flatten the curve” of the virus. However for an overwhelming number of South Africans who are victims of domestic violence the declaration made by the President to lockdown the country appeared to be a potential death sentence. While being confined to our homes may be a means of safety and security, for victims of abuse it is essentially a place of fear and dread.

The Implication of the Lockdown for Victims of Abuse

It is a well-known fact that South Africa is home to the largest number of violent acts being committed to women globally. On average the femicide rate in South Africa is five times higher than the global average rate recorded with sexual assault cases increasing every year. During 2018 and 2019 an astonishing 114 rapes were being committed per day to women which is an estimated increase of 5% from the previous year.

In addition to the above South Africa essentially has the largest number of women being killed by their intimate partner in the world. This has occurred despite the establishment of various initiatives such as the ‘Sixteen Days of Activism of No Violence against Women and Children’ campaign held every year to raise awareness of intimate partner violence. Despite its establishment in 1998 50% of women who have been killed in our country have been murdered by individuals with whom they have an intimate relationship with. Domestic violence is therefore a serious and prevailing problem in South Africa which occurs on a continual basis.

As a result of the imposition of the lockdown and its subsequent extension of two weeks family members are compelled to stay at home together in close proximity to one another. The restrictive confinement of the lockdown coupled with the added stress of deductions or total loss of incomes has resulted in heightened levels of anger, tension and helplessness brewing between individuals in a household. As a result of this unfavourable and unfortunate situation hostility and aggression is easily able to be triggered within a household during this period of isolation.

Since the declaration of the lockdown the number of domestic violence cases has significantly increased which is no doubt a combination of the factors listed above. Victims of abuse are now placed in an even more precarious position as a result of the complete lockdown imposed by the South African government. As a result of this complete lockdown this has meant complete isolation of many victims to their homes. This is due to the fact that various public spaces have been required to close coupled with the fact that movement has been restricted. This has led to a restriction in the interaction which victims can have with support structures such as friends, neighbours and other family members. As a result of this confinement many victims of abuse feel as though they are trapped with no way out.

Support during Isolation

Despite the fact that the people of South Africa are under a severe and restrictive lockdown this does not mean that you are obligated to stay in an abusive relationship. If you do not feel as though you are safe in your home during this period there is a way to seek help and thereby escape the abusive situation you find yourself in at home.

If you find yourself in an abusive relationship please get in contact with the Gender Based Violence Command Centre which is a government programme intended to provide support to victims of abuse and achieve the elimination of all violence against women and children. The Gender Based Violence Command Centre fundamentally provides a 24 hour emergency contact number which you can call on: 0800 428 428. In addition to this helpline one can make use of the ‘please call me function’ on: *120*7867#. The centre additionally caters to members of the deaf community on Skype via the handle: ‘Helpme GBV’. Lastly the command centre has an SMS line for disabled persons. One simply has to SMS the word ‘Help’ to 31531. If the command centre feels as though the police are urgently needed in a particular situation they will easily be able to transfer your call.

Furthermore during this quarantine period the Thuthuzela Care centre will remain operational throughout the country as an essential service to provide medical support to victims of rape. Please find the contact numbers for the care centre in each province:

Aside from the above there are additional organisations which will remain open during the lockdown which will provide support to victims of domestic violence.

• Masimanyane Women’s Rights International: This organisation similarly to the organisations listed above provides counselling and support to victims. You can contact counsellors on Whatsapp or you can simply call them on the numbers listed below:
• Thandiwe Mkutu – 082 852 4440
• Nonkosi Mntu – 063 972 6178
• Tamara Ngemntu ­­– 083 416 1626
• Ntomboxolo Ntengo – 078 882 9390
• Portia Donti – 078 402 4490
• Linda Mafanya – 073 546 7600
• Claudine Dookens – 062 144 9179
• Felicia Boqwana – 072 727 1106
• Albertina Sam – 071 518 7773

• TEARS: Tears is essentially a women led foundation which provides assistance to victims throughout the country. The TEARS foundation assists victims of abuse in finding emergency shelters and has counsellors on hand to help victims cope with the stress and anxiety they are currently experiencing. You can contact TEARS on their 24 hour SMS service on: *134*7355#. Alternatively you can email TEARS on: info@tears.co.za or you can call their hotline on: 010 590 5920.

• People Opposed to Women Abuse (POWA): POWA essentially provides counselling to victims in person or over the phone via: 011 642 4345.

In addition to the above please find a referral directory of all of the women’s shelters in South Africa and how to obtain an interim protection order during the lockdown:

EASTERN CAPE

FREE STATE

KWA-ZULU NATAL

WESTERN CAPE

GAUTENG

NORTH WEST

NORTHERN CAPE

MPUMALANGA

Can I obtain a Protection Order during the lockdown?

During the period of the lockdown the courts will remain open to her all applications for protection orders. During this time the courts will issue an interim protection order. Once the lockdown has come to an end the courts will then deal with final protection orders. At present however the courts have been overwhelmed with the number of matters that have been referred to it during the lockdown. The courts appear to be struggling to cope as domestic violence cases are simply increasing daily. However do not let this dissuade you from seeking help during this time as abusers will still be brought to justice nevertheless.

In order to apply for an interim protection order you will be required to go to the magistrate’s court in the area in which you live in. When you arrive at the court you will be required to make a written statement concerning the abuse and you will be required to complete an application form for a protection order. Once you have completed these two steps you will then be required to make a sworn statement to a clerk at the court that everything you have written in your statement is the truth. Thereafter you will be required to sign the application form which you have completed. Once you have signed the form the clerk to whom you have made your sworn statement to will sign and stamp the application. Thereafter the clerk will open a file on your behalf. The file will be given to the magistrate who will subsequently read through everything contained in the application and will make a decision. The magistrate can either dismiss your application due to there being no evidence of domestic violence or will grant the interim protection order or will arrange for the matter to be hard at a future date to allow the respondent an opportunity to relay their version of events.

If the interim order has been granted and subsequently served should any condition be breached by the respondent he/she will receive a fine, imprisonment or both.

Stay safe and DO NOT suffer in silence. This lockdown does not mean you have to endure any form of abuse. Please find additional helplines below: