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South African Support and Resources Page

Please review the following support services and resources available for South African residents. This information has been adapted from the South African Government (source linked here), and the UNHCR Refugee Agency (UNHCR source linked here).

We also recommend viewing the following document provided by the National Council of & For Persons with Disabilities (NCFPD), which details a list of gender-based violence (GBV) supports. Click here to view the resources listed by the NCFPD.

South African Police Service

The police will assist in cases of domestic violence or sexual assault, and can help you access medical attention, shelter, and victim counselling.

SAPS emergency number, call: 10111

National Helplines

• Gender-Based Violence Command Centre; call:
  • 0800 428 428
  • 1207867# (free from any cellphone)
• STOP Gender Violence Helpline; call:
  • 0800 150 150
  • *120*7867#
• Halt Elder Abuse Line (HEAL) – helpline for elderly people; call:
  • 0800 003 081
  • E-mail: action@actiononelderabusesa.co.za
• Human Trafficking helpline; call:
  • 08000 737 283 (08000 rescue)
  • 082 455 3664
• For Persons living with disabilities; SMS “help” to 31531

Support Organisations

People Opposed to Woman Abuse (POWA):

Support for women affected by violence, including counselling (telephonic and in-person), legal support, and temporary shelter.

• Website: http://www.powa.co.za
• Tel: 011 642 4345
• E-mail: info@powa.co.za
• Social media: link to Facebook and link to Twitter/X

Childline South Africa:

Support for children and families dealing with abuse, trafficking, and behavioural issues.

• Website: https://www.childlinesa.org.za/
• Toll-free helpline: 116
• E-mail: olcadmin@childlinesa.org.za
• Social media: link to Facebook and link to Twitter/X

Child Welfare South Africa:

Focuses on child protection, family development, and child abuse reporting.

• Website: http://childwelfaresa.org.za/
• Tel: 074 080 8315
• E-mail: info@childwelfaresa.co.za
• Social media: link to Facebook and link to Twitter/X

Families South Africa (FamSA):

Provides support for domestic violence, trauma counselling, and divorce and family mediation.

• Tel: 073 213 3831
• E-mail: national@famsa.org.za
• Social media: Link to Facebook

Sonke Gender Justice:

Place to anonymously and safely report any incident experienced, seen or heard about. 

• Website: Sonke Gender Justice
• Tel: 0800 333 059 (toll-free whistleblower hotline)
• SMS: 33490
• E-mail: sonke@whitleblowing.co.za.

Tears Foundation:

Assists survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child sexual abuse.

• Website: http://www.tears.co.za/
• Free SMS helpline: *134*7355#
• Tel: 010 590 5920
• Email: info@tears.co.za
• Social media: link to Facebook and link to Twitter/X

Thuthuzela Care Centres:

These are one-stop facilities for victims of sexual violence, offering medical care, counselling, and legal services. Link to Website for Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs) for more information about province-specific supports.

Tshwaranang Legal Advocacy Centre (TLAC)

Facilitates access to justice for women who have experienced or are at risk of experiencing GBV.

• Tel: 011 331 0088
• Email: tshwaranang@tlac.org.za
• Website: www.tlac.org.za