South African Domestic Violence & Survivor Support Contacts
SAPS & Police Services (First for emergencies)
SAPS Emergency Number: 10111
Call this number to report domestic violence, assault, threats, or any crime in progress. It connects you to the nearest police station.
Local Police Stations:
You can find your local station here: www.saps.gov.za/stations.php
Shelters & Safe Accommodation
National Shelter Movement of South Africa
24-hour Toll-Free Shelter Helpline: 0800 001 005
WhatsApp/SMS: 082 057 8600 / 082 058 2215 / 072 230 7147
Email: infohelpline@nationalsm.org.za
Offers access to over 78 shelters nationwide for domestic violence survivors.
Saartjie Baartman Centre (Cape Town)
Tel: 021 633 1253
One-stop support centre for women and children.
National GBV & Survivor Helplines
Gender-Based Violence Command Centre (GBVCC)
Toll-Free: 0800 428 428
“Please Call Me”: 1207867#
STOP Gender Violence Helpline
Toll-Free: 0800 150 150
Childline South Africa
24-hour toll-free for children & families: 116
Additional Survivor Support Services
POWA (People Opposing Women Abuse)
Counselling, legal support, shelter.
Tel: 011 642 4345
TEARS Foundation
SMS Helpline: 1347355#
Tel: +27 10 590 5920
Crisis intervention & counselling.
The Trauma Centre (Cape Town)
Tel: +27 21 465 7373
WhatsApp: +27 66 307 2073
Trauma counselling & violence prevention.
Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs)
One-stop GBV response centres (medical, legal, trauma support).
National Contact: +27 12 845 6000
Women Against Rape (W.A.R.)
Distributes comfort packs to rape survivors through SAPS stations.
International Resources for Domestic Violence Survivors
If you or someone you know is affected by domestic violence, please remember that help is available worldwide. We’ve compiled a list of global hotlines and support networks to ensure everyone can find support wherever they are.
Africa
South Africa: National Gender-Based Violence Helpline - 0800 150 150
Kenya: National Domestic Violence Helpline - 1195
Nigeria: Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team - 112
Asia
India: Women’s Helpline - 1091
Japan: All Japan Women’s Shelter Network (24-hour support for women in crisis)
Pakistan: Ministry of Human Rights Helpline - 1099
America
United States: National Domestic Violence Hotline - 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Canada: ShelterSafe for Women’s Shelters Directory - Dial 911 in emergencies
Brazil: Women’s Hotline - 180 (Assistance in Portuguese)
Europe
United Kingdom: Refuge Domestic Violence Helpline - 0808 2000 247
Germany: Helpline for Violence Against Women - 116 016
France: National Domestic Violence Hotline - 3919
Oceania
Australia: Domestic Violence Crisis Line - 1800 737 732
New Zealand: Women’s Refuge Crisis Line - 0800 733 843
Fiji: Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre - +679 3313 300
Global Support Platforms
NO MORE Global Directory: Connects individuals with support services worldwide, allowing them to find local helplines and organizations that offer specialized care and guidance.
Lila.help: A reliable directory developed by the Global Network of Women’s Shelters, offering resources and helplines for victims of gender-based violence across multiple countries.