Gender-based violence – how you can stop it

Ever wondered how you could come to the aid of someone who is faced with gender-based violence?

Parkview Police Station has issued the following tips for family or friends to use to help secure a loved one’s safety or life.

Here are the tips:

• Gender-based violence (GBV) can be reported through the GBV Command Centre, directly to the police at the police station or through calling the GBV Command Centre.
• Neighbours are often aware of domestic disruptions that are violent and in which people are being hurt. This may be through screams, cries for help, sounds of blows, gunshots, and so on.
• Alerting the police of these disruptions could actually assist in preventing further harm to victims.
• Friends, relatives or someone within the shared residence should alert the police about the abuse on behalf of the victim.
• Maintain constant contact with supportive family members and friends so that they can detect when there is unusual silence, for example, regular chats on WhatsApp.
• Develop a safety plan and an exit plan, such as keeping numbers for neighbours, relatives, and anyone who can assist.
• Keep and share the contact list of emergency numbers, such as the local police station, SAPS Sector patrol vans, Community Police Forums and other law enforcement agencies, ambulance, shelters, and local civil society organisations, GBV hotlines, etc.

Details: GBV Command Centre 0800 428 428.