As the festive season approaches, the reality for many South African women is far from carefree. This period, marked by celebrations and late-night outings, also brings a rise in violent crimes such as rape, assault and femicide.

According to the National Research Foundation (NRF), there is a consistent rise in GBV during the holidays, driven by increased social activity, alcohol consumption and financial strain.

Some of the data revealed some of the factors contributing to the increase in GBV including alcohol misuse, unresolved domestic tensions, reduced staffing at shelter and counselling facilities which leave survivors with limited assistance.

With safety becoming a growing concern, many women have redefined what it means to be a “girl’s girl,” shifting from sharing beauty trends to sharing life-saving advice.

One such woman is Julissa ‘VoyageofJulissa’ Willis, whose TikTok video offering practical safety tips has reached more than 5 million views.

Julissa shared a practical safety tip for women to use if they ever find themselves in danger inside a vehicle. She advised women to sit directly behind the driver, the hardest seat for a perpetrator to reach, and to keep a shoelace in their bag, which can be used as a self-defence tool if necessary.

She also shared the following safety tips:
• Avoid shouting “help” as bystanders may ignore the call. Instead, scream “fire”, which creates a sense of urgency and increases the likelihood that people will respond.

• Always carry a self-defence tool, whether it’s pepper spray, pepper gel or a taser and keep it easily accessible in your bag at all times.

• If you need to defend yourself physically, aim for the perpetrator’s knee. A strong kick to the knee can destabilise them long enough for you to escape.