As the 16 Days of Activism campaign concludes and South Africa enters the festive season, a period that brings heightened risks, the National Shelter Movement of South Africa (NSMSA) is calling for continued vigilance and support in the fight against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

Bloemfontein Courant reports that, with GBVF officially declared a national disaster, the NSMSA urges ongoing awareness and action throughout this critical time.

Round-the-clock help for survivors

At the heart of this call is the NSMSA’s toll-free, 24-hour National GBV Shelter Helpline. Contact the helpline by calling 0800 001 005, or send an SMS, WhatsApp or Please Call Me to 082 057 8600/082 058 2215/072 230 7147, or send an email to infohelpline@nationalsm.org.za.

This service is the only national platform dedicated to the rapid placement of survivors into safe houses and shelters, operating throughout the day and night to provide immediate assistance.

As the holidays approach, a time when the risk of violence often increases, the National GBV Shelter Helpline offers discreet and immediate access to safe accommodation and vital support. With assistance from partners, including an Uber transport programme in select provinces, survivors can be quickly and quietly relocated to safety, even during late hours.

More than 20 000 calls since launch

Since its launch in December 2020, with support from the Ford Foundation, the helpline has received more than 20 000 calls and facilitated thousands of life-saving placements for women, men, children, foreign nationals, refugees and asylum seekers fleeing domestic violence, intimate partner violence, sexual violence, stalking and other life-threatening situations.

The helpline addresses more than just physical harm. Survivors reach out for various forms of abuse, including emotional and psychological trauma, financial control, sexual abuse, coercion and online harassment. The service is also seeing a rise in calls from male victims, trafficked persons and individuals facing compounded vulnerabilities.

Shelters as a lifeline

“South Africa’s femicide rate remains five times higher than the global average, with a woman killed every few hours, often by a current or former partner. Femicide is the intentional killing of women or girls because of their gender, often rooted in prolonged cycles of domestic abuse. Shelters serve as a critical interruption to this cycle, offering not only immediate protection but also counselling, psychosocial support and legal guidance. For many, a shelter placement is literally the difference between life and death,” says the NSMSA.

Despite the increasing demand for shelter services, the National GBV Shelter Helpline and its network of shelters face mounting pressures. For nearly two decades, the NSMSA has raised awareness of chronic funding shortages and the lack of support for shelters. To maintain 24/7 availability and safeguard operations, the NSMSA is calling on individuals, corporations and philanthropists to donate.

“Contributions will help keep the helpline active and fund operational costs for shelters across the country. Each successful placement represents a life diverted from harm, a crisis de-escalated and a survivor given the opportunity to rebuild.

“We urge South Africans to stand with us share the helpline details, support the campaign and help sustain this essential service.”

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