Many women are forced into lockdown at home with their abusers at the same time that all the services to support survivors are being disrupted or made inaccessible.
This was according to Marthe Muller, CEO of South African Women in Dialogue, who was part of a second digital on social justice and mental health during the battle against corona, and hosted by prof Thuli Madonsela, Law Trust Chair in Social Justice at Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Faculty of Law.
The conversation, held on 23 April, was also facilitated by Fanelesibonge Ndebele, LLB student and social justice ambassador, and political journalist Karyn Maughn.
According to Joy Watson, we need to track the history of our policy response and seek to come up with strategies in regards to gender based violence. We also need to consider our expenditure priorities. pic.twitter.com/BbYSGETHYs
— Centre for Social Justice (@CFSJ_MPlan) April 23, 2020
Earlier this month, police minister, Bheki Cele, said in a statement that although other major crimes have decreased since the start of the lockdown, gender-based violence (GBV) has increased. According to a SAPS press release, 2 300 calls were logged regarding GBV in the first week of the national lockdown.
This increase of GBV cases is due to victims being quarantined with their abusers, according to Muller.
No-one to call
Two ways in which women can seek help during lockdown, are either online or by means of telephone services, said Muller.
While other support services have been delayed due to the national lockdown, victims are required to use online platforms or telephonic methods to seek help, said Muller. But relying on technology for help, is a problematic factor, she said.
Victims of gender-based violence have very little options during this time, especially those without internet access. PHOTO: Mario Azzi on Unsplash
“This is really difficult as many women don’t have access to the internet or airtime in order to seek assistance,” Muller said.
The lockdown has a particular nuance to providing services that are not in the interest of GBV victims, said Joy Watson, senior researcher and policy analyst in parliament.
According to Watson, although courts continue to operate and some service provisions are available for GBV victims, there are still significant limitations. This included limitations to public transport to get to court and using data or airtime to contact non-government organisations (NGOs) for support.
Women and children remain exposed during lockdown, said Thandile Ngxikwe, a member of the Stellenbosch Anti-GBV Movement. She said the movement had many goals that it was working towards.
“But due to the pandemic our efforts have come to a slow down,” Ngxikwe said.
A spike in gender-based violence cases have been reported since the lockdown began. PHOTO: Kristina Tripkovic on Unsplash