This brief highlights emerging trends and implications for the provision of essential services (health, police and justice, social services and coordination of these services) for women and girls who have experienced violence during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
You have right and there are ways to protect yourself against an abuser. If the abuser threatens your life and you live in fear of the abuser, then a protection order could be an option.
We all have three classic responses to fear namely fight, flight and freeze, but according to an article published on The Mighty, there is a fourth trauma response called fawn. These responses are not necessarily harmful as they help “us to respond quickly to threats and get to safety.” However, it becomes problematic when you get stuck in one of these trauma responses.
The first point of call for victims of domestic violence when reporting an incident is the South African Police Service (SAPS). After that, they would follow a procedure with the domestic violence sections at the courts, the Public Prosecutors and shelters if need be.
OUR VISION: To inform, educate, mobilize and provide a safe environment to all women and children affected by domestic violence in Port Elizabeth and surrounding areas.
OUR VALUES: Commitment, Compassion, Determination, Education, Transformation.
