Gender-based violence (GBV) is said to have spiked amid the nationwide lockdown in battle against the outbreak of the Covid-19 disease as men vent their anger and frustrations of staying at home on their spouses.
Organisations and civilians in the forefront of the fight against GBV have indicated that statistics are proving that during the national lockdown period, the violence against women has increased from less than 1 500 to well over5 000 per week.
The spike has raised the ire of both government and civic organisations, and spurred various organisations, including Carling Black Label’s #NoExcuse initiative to spring into action in an effort to lend a hand in the fight against this other pandemic.
The #NoExcuse initiative has developed a WhatsApp line to help the victims of the GBV to report cases to authorities and also to raise alarm and seek to get counselling for both spouses before the matter spirals out of control.
“This is a very concerning development which we are faced with, particularly as we do not know how many cases remain unreported. As a brand we want to encourage people to be brave and give them a way to get help.”
This WhatsApp line gives victims of abuse, who could be men or women, a way to get counselling silently,” said Carling Black Label brand director, Arné Rust in a virtual press conference with Alex News.
She said the WhatsApp line also puts men who are struggling to be their inner champion in touch with a mentor, someone to talk to, so that they can start on the journey to be champion men. “All of this can now happen silently.”
Rust said the new approach of the WhatsApp service allows anyone to send the word ‘BRAVE’ to 0800 150 150 and get in touch with the right organisation to get the help they need.
“We will also be partnering with other corporate entities, government departments as well as affiliates such as Takuwani Riime and the Men’s Sector to grow awareness of the service and remove barriers to getting assistance.”
Given the various circumstances people find themselves in during the lockdown, Rust said it was difficult for victims of abuse to call for help and it also stops men who are ashamed of showing weakness from reaching out.
“So, the text-based service will enable them to silently send a text for help, without being detected.”She said the campaign has two phases ? the first phase being to raise awareness about the LifeLine number, as people should know there is help available to them. The second phase provides them with insight on the WhatsApp functionality and that help is only one ‘Brave’ text away, she concluded.
