The Saartjie Baartman Centre for Abused Women and Children has previously reported larger numbers than usual of survivors needing legal assistance and free counselling over the holiday period. The reason why? Domestic violence is driven by over indulgence in alcohol and drugs, and substance abuse is one of the biggest drivers of gender based violence.

If you experienced domestic violence over this period, you remain at risk, so it is incredibly important to get help as soon as possible.

Substance abuse coupled with family conflict or other relationship problems, financial pressures and close quarter living makes women even more vulnerable to domestic violence. If this all sounds familiar and you survived domestic violence over the holiday period, it is likely to continue. You need to consider the following:

Save these emergency numbers to your phone which can be dialled immediately.

Emergency Services

These organizations attend to any matters requiring rescue. Including (but not limited to) domestic violence, sexual assault, fire, crime, and accidents.

• Cellphone: 112
• SAPS: 10111
• SAPS Crime Stop: 086 00 10111
• Fire department: 10178

Ambulance Services

• Government: 10177
• ER24: 084124
• Netcare 911: 082911

You can also find a comprehensive list of numbers for counselling, women abuse centres and gender based violence support here.

It is also a good idea to do the following:

• Have a 'Safe' word/phrase. Let someone you can trust know you have a word or phrase which can be used when you need help as texting or phone calls might not be an option. Keep it short and simple.
• Get a Safety app. There are a number of apps which can track people’s locations, provide access to a network of support groups or allow you to work through the situation you are in. rAInbow is an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot that helps victims of domestic abuse find help and can be used through Facebook Messenger and Whatsapp.
• Prepare for escape. If needs be, you need to have an exit plan where you can get out of harm’s way, be it in the house, or a person you can contact to come and get you. If the abuser gets into a drunken or drug induced stupor, it can be a chance to escape.

While domestic violence escalates in December, it is a precursor for the abuse to continue throughout the year.  Help and support are at hand through the For-Women online platform.