South Africa's Gender-Based Violence Command Centre has reported a significant surge in calls for support, with 589 calls received in a single day, the highest daily number recorded during the first half of September. The Department of Social Development said the 24-hour helpline recorded the 589 calls on September 16, following a sharp rise in people reaching out for assistance between September 13 and 16.
The spike in calls comes amid heightened concern over violence against women, particularly in Gauteng's Ekurhuleni District, where reports indicate that nine women have been found dead since the previous week. The department said that during the four-day period, the centre received about 500 calls a day, compared with an average of 399 daily calls during the first 12 days of the month.
Preliminary figures show the command centre received 6,782 calls between September 1 and 16, an average of 424 calls a day. This represents a 21% increase compared with the same period in August, when the centre recorded an average of 350 calls a day. The department has cautioned against immediately interpreting the increase as evidence of a sustained rise in GBV incidents.
The department has urged communities to report suspected abuse and ensure survivors know where they can obtain assistance. Members of the public can contact the Gender-Based Violence Command Centre on 0800 428 428, SMS "HELP" to 31531, or use its other support channels. The department emphasized that tackling GBV requires action not only from government, but also from communities, businesses, and other sectors of society.
The surge in calls and the recent incidents in Ekurhuleni have intensified calls for urgent and coordinated action to address GBV and femicide. The department said that concern over violence against women and the fear experienced by women in communities had become "particularly pronounced" in the district.
Three people have been questioned as police investigate the deaths of nine women in Ekurhuleni, but authorities say the cases have not been conclusively linked. The incidents have further highlighted the need for urgent action to address the GBV crisis in South Africa.
The Department of Social Development has emphasized that everyone has a role to play in ensuring that survivors know where to seek help and that no one suffers in silence. The public is encouraged to report abuse, seek support, and share the GBV Command Centre's contact details with family members, friends, and neighbors.
Key points
- The GBV Command Centre received 589 calls in a single day, a 21% increase from August.
- Nine women have been found dead in Ekurhuleni District, Gauteng Province, since the previous week.
- The Department of Social Development urges communities to report suspected abuse and ensure survivors know where to obtain assistance.
