Helping victims of gender-based violence

ER24’s trauma counselling team aims to provide the survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) with guidance and support.

August is Women’s Month, a time to celebrate women’s achievements. However, for many women, their pain and trauma will continue. South Africa is considered the rape capital of the world and according to the World Health Organization, the number of women killed by their partners is five times higher in South Africa than the global average.

What is gender-based violence?

GBV and domestic violence refer to more than physical or sexual abuse. “There are various forms of interpersonal violence that encompass emotional, verbal, psychological, and financial abuse,” says Tammy Dicks, ER24 Trauma Support Coordinator. “However, the majority of the GBV cases we see are domestic violence and physical assault cases perpetrated by the partner. Victims find it hard to leave or to speak up about abusive situations because with the ongoing diminishing of the human spirit, they learn to feel and believe it is what they deserve.”

ER24’s crisis intervention for GBV victims

Mediclinic has rolled out a gender-based violence programme with all the Mediclinic hospitals in the Western Cape. At these Emergency Centres, any victim or survivor of GBV will receive medical attention and crisis intervention from the ER24 trauma counselling team.

“We ascertain the situation and if the person affected chooses to report the case, we explain how the process moves forward with the South African Police Services (SAPS) and the legal aspect of protection orders,” Dicks explains. “We then refer them to their nearest Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC).”

Care facilities for GBV victims

TCCs are one-stop facilities around the country that form a critical part of South Africa’s strategy to address GBV. The new Stellenbosch Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC) opened in February 2024 in the Cape Winelands to support GBV victims in the greater Stellenbosch area. This project is led by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Sexual Offences and Community Affairs Unit (SOCA) in partnership with Mediclinic, Ring for Peace Cape Trust, the GBV Leadership Group and various government departments.

Staff at the TCCs assist with social work interventions and finding a safe house for the victims and their family. “If the victim does not want to approach SAPS and it is not safe for them to go home, ER24’s trauma counselling services can also help them find alternative accommodation and safe houses,” Dicks says.

Providing resources to GBV victims

The ER24 trauma counselling team’s approach to GBV cases is to provide the victim with all the tools and resources they need to make informed, empowered decisions. “In many cases there is a lack of understanding about what to expect from filing a police report,” Dicks says. “We give victims the necessary information so they can make the right steps to take their life back.” She adds that no one is forced to report the matter and open a case with the police. “However, ongoing social support is incredibly important in terms of healing. A victim of GBV might not decide to open a case that day, but with ongoing support, they might change their mind later.”

ER24 has also embarked on a GBV awareness campaign with the TCC GBV hub in Stellenbosch. “We are trying to educate the surrounding communities about GBV and how they can find support at their closest TCC,” says Dicks. “This Women’s Day, remember you have a voice. You can take a stand against what is wrong. If you suspect someone is a victim of GBV or domestic abuse, report the case anonymously to the Department of Social Development.”

Let’s fight the scourge together.