More people are reaching out for help as concerns over gender-based violence and femicide continue to grow across South Africa.The Department of Social Development says its 24-hour Gender-Based Violence Command Centre (GBVCC) received 6,782 calls between 1 and 16 September 2026, an average of about 424 calls a day.
This is a 21% increase compared with August, when the centre received an average of 350 calls a day.The number of calls increased further between 13 and 16 September, reaching about 500 a day. On 16 September alone, the centre recorded 589 calls, the highest number during the period.
The increase comes amid renewed concern about violence against women, particularly following reports of several women being found dead in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. While the figures show that more people are seeking assistance, the Department says it is too early to determine whether the increase represents a sustained rise in GBV incidents.
The Department is urging people experiencing abuse, as well as those who know someone at risk, to speak up and seek help. It says communities have an important role to play in challenging attitudes and behaviour that allow violence and abuse to continue, particularly against women, children, older people and people with disabilities.
The Department is also encouraging families, friends and neighbours to share the GBV Command Centre’s contact details so that survivors know where to turn for help.
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