Every four hours a woman is murdered by a man in intimate partner violence in South Africa.
This is according to the latest research on gender-based violence (GBV), which continues to plague the country.
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SAPS King Cetshwayo Cluster spokesperson Captain Siyanda Shangase shares some ways to identify if you are in an abusive relationship.
“The biggest misconception about GBV is that it is physical abuse, however, it also includes emotional, verbal, and psychological abuses, intimidation, harassment and any other kind of behaviour that places a person’s life in danger.
“Sexual consent is vital; you cannot forcefully have sex with a person even if you are married to them.
“Laying a criminal charge or filing for a protection order are some of the most useful ways to deal with the perpetrator.
“A protection order prohibits the perpetrator from conducting irrational and abusive behaviour towards the complainant.
“Anyone may apply for a protection order and in extreme cases, a teacher, counsellor, health service provider, member of SAPS, or social worker may apply on the victim’s behalf.
“However, they must obtain written consent from the victim unless the victim is a minor, mentally challenged, unconscious, or someone the court may find is unable to provide consent.
“If the perpetrator disregards the order, the complainant must notify the police for assistance.”
Shangase said, owing to the severity of GBV crimes, victims must always have an emergency safety plan.
“This may include having contacts on speed dial, money hidden away for taxi fare and clothes packed in a bag in case they need to flee.
“If unsatisfied with the service from police officials, a victim may request to speak to the station commander.
“If the station commander offers no relief, they may request assistance from the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) for which the victim’s local police must provide contact details.”
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