{"id":2050,"date":"2020-05-26T12:07:53","date_gmt":"2020-05-26T10:07:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dotnewsconnect.co.za\/law\/?p=2050"},"modified":"2020-05-26T12:07:55","modified_gmt":"2020-05-26T10:07:55","slug":"domestic-violence-and-the-lockdown-your-personalised-safety-plan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dotnewsconnect.co.za\/law\/2020\/domestic-violence-and-the-lockdown-your-personalised-safety-plan\/","title":{"rendered":"Domestic Violence and the Lockdown: Your Personalised Safety Plan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u201cPreamble to the Domestic Violence Act: \u201cTo afford the victims of domestic violence the maximum protection from domestic abuse that the law can provide\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

There is great concern that the COVID-19 crisis, particularly the mandatory \u201cstay at home\u201d lockdown phase, will see both an increase in the levels of domestic violence, and a decrease in the ability of victims to access help. It\u2019s a worldwide concern and as the World Health Organisation puts it: \u201cStress, the disruption of social and protective networks, loss of income and decreased access to services all can exacerbate the risk of violence for women.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa\u2019s Domestic Violence Act (\u201cdomestic violence\u201d isn\u2019t limited to cases of physical harm \u2013 it includes a very wide range of abusive conduct) provides legal protection to victims, especially to those most vulnerable such as women, children, disabled people and the elderly.   If you are a victim (or helping a victim) you should be aware of a victim\u2019s rights to lay criminal charges and\/or to apply for a protection order.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Police officers attending to such cases must help victims to lay criminal charges, find shelter and obtain medical treatment where necessary. The Supreme Court of Appeal has confirmed that SAPS members have a positive duty to render assistance to victims.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But how can you achieve that with the lockdown restrictions and its constraints on your freedom of movement and ability to escape the abuser?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your personalised safety plan<\/h6>\n\n\n\n

Note that from 14 May 2020 new lockdown regulations specifically allow you to move to a new home where \u201cthe movement is necessitated due to domestic violence\u201d.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Download\u00a0here<\/strong><\/a><\/strong>\u00a0the National Shelter Movement of South Africa\u2019s free PDF document \u201cDomestic Violence Safety Planning During the Time of COVID-19\u201d which will help you with suggestions for developing a personalised and practical Safety Plan during lockdown under these headings \u2013<\/p>\n\n\n\n