Steps to follow in a domestic violence emergency

ER24 Contact Centre emergency resource officers are on standby to react to a domestic violence emergency over the phone, and are capable of dispatching a wide range of emergency responders.

This is according to Shakira Cassim, general manager of ER24 Contact Centre.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said: “There is a dark and heavy shadow across our land.

“The women and children of this country are under siege.

“South Africa is one of the most unsafe places in the world to be a woman, with levels of violence that are comparable to countries that are at war.

“When the country entered lockdown as a precautionary measure to reduce and prevent the transmission of Covid-19, these tensions escalated alarmingly.

“The South African Civil Society for Women’s Adolescent’s and Children’s Health, a coalition of 33 local NGOs supporting the Department of Health with its response to the pandemic, reports that calls to the state gender-based violence command centre have doubled.

“More than 120 000 victims called the national helpline in the first three weeks after lockdown started.”

Would you know what to do in a domestic violence emergency?

“We can receive calls related to domestic violence through all our contact centres,” said Cassim.

“We facilitate and manage 112 calls for Vodacom and Cell C subscribers, and we’re able to assist callers in requesting the relevant public emergency service assistance.

“This means if you’re involved in a domestic violence incident or are aware of one as it occurs nearby, you can speak to an ER24 emergency resource officer who will alert police services immediately.

“Our priority remains to get the caller the relevant emergency assistance as quick as possible,” said Cassim.

WHO recommends that anyone who needs to self-isolate in a home where they do not feel safe makes a safety plan:

• Identify a neighbour, friend, relative, colleague or shelter to go to in case you need to leave the house immediately for safety.
• Have a plan for how you will exit the house safely and how you will reach there (for example, transport).
• Keep a few essential items, such as ID documents, phone, money, medicine and clothes, and a list of telephone numbers available in case of an emergency.
• If possible, agree on a code with a trusted neighbour so they can come to your aid in case of an emergency.

If you’re worried about someone you know during this time, such as a neighbour, relative or friend, there are ways to offer safe and discreet support:

• Keep in touch with the person to check that they’re safe, ensuring it is safe for them to be in touch with you.
• Assume that a perpetrator of violence can see, hear and or monitor communications, so find out how best to communicate with the person you’re concerned about.
• Do your research: find out which services for survivors of violence against women are functioning during the pandemic and make this information available through your networks and social media.

If someone you know needs urgent help for whatever reason, call 084 124.