Children's Memorial Institute

27/12/2025

In the case of any Gender Based Violence contact the DSD GBV Command Centre:
Call: 0800 428 428
Dial: *120*7867 # from any cellphone
Send a "Please Call Me" to *120*7867 #

MEDIA STATEMENT

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT’S GENDER-BASED VIOLENCECOMMAND CENTRE REMAINS OPEN 24/7 DURING THE FESTIVE SEASON

Pretoria | 22 December 2025: The Department of Social Development reminds members of the public that the Gender-Based Violence Command Centre (GBVCC) remains fully operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, providing free, confidential and immediate support to survivors of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).

The GBVCC offers online trauma counselling, telephonic support, referrals to Social Workers, shelters, psychosocial services and law enforcement, ensuring that survivors receive timely assistance when they need it most.As South Africa enters the festive season, the Department urges communities to remain vigilant and to report all forms of GBVF, noting that this period is historically associated with an increase in cases.

Speaking on the readiness of the Centre, Department of Social Development GBVCC Centre Manager, Ms. Carol Tladi, said the festive period often places women and children at heightened risk.

“Our data consistently shows that cases of gender-based violence increase during the festive season. Alcohol abuse, as well as the use of legal and illegal substances, remains one of the key drivers contributing to these incidents,” said Tladi.

Ms. Tladi assured the public that the GBVCC is prepared to respond to increased demand during this period, emphasising that no survivor should suffer in silence.

The Department of Social Development calls on families, communities and individuals to play an active role in preventing violence, supporting survivors and reporting perpetrators.

GBVF is everyone’s responsibility. Help is available. Speak out.

For assistance, contact the GBV Command Centre:Call: 0800 428 428
Dial: *120*7867 # from any cellphone
Send a “Please Call Me” to *120*7867 #

ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Media enquiries may be forwarded to the Acting Head of Communication, Ms Sandy Godlwana on 082 678 5634 /SandyG@dsd.gov.za

27/12/2025

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05/12/2025

City Power is on site and switching us back on!!

Thank you HBGSchindlers Attorneys, , Section27 you have brought us back from the brink, we are so grateful 🙏💙

05/12/2025

We have received an order from the court to reconnect our electricity!

This is great news but there are some challenges. Reconnection will only likely take place in 72 hours and we are serving this on them on a Friday afternoon, so possibly only Wednesday or Thursday next week. We only have reprieve for 14 days.

City of Johannesburg could arrive next week to serve notice on our door, in which case we could be disconnected and back to square 1 in two weeks time.

We are going to keep trying to engage with the Department of Health and Infrastructure & Development, but the fight is far from over sadly 💙

04/12/2025

The life-changing work of please help them keep their 116 line open and the support system that they facilitate 💜

Jacaranda FM’s Good Morning Angels has brought the Angels together to assist Childline Gauteng and ensure they can continue helping children in need. Here’s ...

04/12/2025

The institute, caring for vulnerable children, remains without electricity a week after its power was cut in a dispute between the Gauteng Department of Health and the City of Johannesburg.

03/12/2025

What a fantastic initiative Joburg Child Welfare 💙

Play Café is a safe, fully supervised and creative space designed to give Joburg children and families a secure environment for children to play.

03/12/2025

Hi all an update on a very emotional day in court!!

The Judge ruled that our case was urgent, which is great!

Our counsel then argued the merits of our case and the City’s counsel theirs. We believe we have a very strong argument.

The judge has said he will send down an order, either way, by the end of this week, but will take more time to write up his judgment as it is a complicated case.

Our legal team and advocate were stellar, -Wood and team from HBGSchindlers Attorneys and , thank you, we feel very safe in your expert legal hands!

We have done all we can, we will let you know as soon as we have a response.

Thank you everyone for your support, it warms our hearts to be part of such a caring community 🧡💙

03/12/2025

Such an amazing achievement congratulations Dr Shaheda Omar and team at the The Teddy Bear Foundation South Africa we are so proud to have you in our CMI community 🧸💙

03/12/2025

Hi all we have spent the morning in court and we will hopefully hear the judges decision on whether this issue is urgent or not at 2pm.

At this point we will hopefully be able to argue the merits of our case.

The City has said our application is not urgent, in fact they are seeking punitive costs against us for wasting their time!

We switched off all the electricity to the building and various organizations at 5pm on Wednesday 26th November and have been channelling any diesel we can find on an ad hoc basis from donations to the Childline Gauteng’s 116 emergency number and the dental clinic who are only seeing life threatening cases of sepsis and acute pain.

We were desperately hoping that this issue could be resolved yesterday, but it looks like the City are digging in for a long fight.

We are asking for any contributions you can make in the form of donations for diesel and access to generators to see us through this difficult time.

Our bank details are on our website and you can find our back a buddy campaign in the comments.

We are incredibly grateful for everyone’s support to date.

Thank you 🙏