Localising the implementation of domestic violence laws through SAFE-PR

Gender-Based Violence laws, particularly the Domestic Violence Act are some of the tools that enable survivors to access care, support, safety, security and justice and ensure that people’s human rights as enshrined in the Constitution and other human rights instruments are upheld. South Africa has the most progressive and well written laws; however, they do not necessarily connect locally with each individual wherever they live. Therefore, SAFE-PR is localised to a community and each platform is made-up of stakeholders responsible to implement the law and community leaders that serve as a referral pathway for people, especially women, children and other vulnerable groups in relationships, homes and communities rely on for support and access to safety, security and justice.

The SAFE Platforms focuses on strengthening duty bearers and first responders personally as individuals to change norms, beliefs, behaviours and practices that can create barriers in their professional capacities when working in an institution, organisation or representing a group within the community. Women, children and other vulnerable groups rely on people who work in various institutions mandated by law to protect them from violence, and/or other organisations and trusted leaders like religious, traditional leaders. SAFE Platforms are focussed on practitioners to increase their capacity to prevent violence against women, children and other vulnerable groups and strengthen the implementation of protections guaranteed in law to advance human rights to safety, equality and freedom.

Duty bearers and first responders to domestic violence are the police, social workers, magistrates, clerks, healthcare workers, teachers, neighbourhood watch, religious and traditional leaders, civil society members. Therefore, multi-stakeholders are personnel from the local institutions of the South African Police Services, Department of Justice, Department of Health, Department of Social Development, as well as community-based civil society organisations who come together to identify gaps, challenges in advancing the care, safety, security and justice to survivors and co-create solutions to improve the lives of survivors in the communities they live.

Through the SAFE Platform, we believe that by fostering collaboration and cooperation among these entities, we will enhance the effectiveness of preventative measures and responses to domestic violence using the expertise of diverse stakeholders coming together around a shared objective. MOSAIC provides the backbone support for the SAFE Platforms to foster continuous communication amongst stakeholders, connect agreed upon activities and coordinate the referral pathway of the multi-sectoral collaboration, to address the systemic barriers and challenges that affect DV survivors when seeking services. The aim is to remove barriers to access at a local level and connect stakeholders to work towards meaningful solutions to the pervasive issue of domestic violence so that we can achieve the goal of advancing safety in relationships, homes and communities.

A SAFE Platform is selected based on several factors:

Existing Presence: MOSAIC has a presence within the communities. This existing presence facilitates legitimacy within the community as we are part of the service delivery chain and of the community. This also makes it easier to leverage collaborative success through existing networks.

High Incidences of DV: Philippi, Mitchell’s Plain, and Paarl experience high incidences of domestic and intimate partner violence, as indicated by official SAPS crime statistics and MOSAIC court service data. This underscores the urgent need for intervention and support in these areas. 

Infrastructure: Each of these locations has multiple police stations, courts, and other support services already available. This ensures the provision of resources for accessing justice and support services for community members affected by DV.

By operating in these specific areas, SAFE can directly target communities with significant need for intervention and support and further enhance the effectiveness as well as reach of the platform’s initiatives.

We currently have six SAFE-PR Platforms in Philippi, Mitchell’s Plain, Paarl, Tshwane, Heidelberg and Albertinia. Four are in Western Cape township and rural communities and one in the Gauteng Province.

How does SAFE work?

The SAFE Platforms uses an asset-place based approach focused on localised community-coordinated responses to achieve its objectives in advancing the implementation of DV laws and removing barriers to survivors accessing care, safety, security and justice services in their local communities.

Success factors to creating a SAFE Platform

• Coordination & Integration: MOSAIC provides strong and skilled coordination to ensure that different parts of the system are working together in the most efficient and effective manner. This involves convening stakeholders, facilitating collaboration, building and maintaining relationships necessary for effective collaboration.
• Platforms/Hubs: SAFE established platforms/hubs at a local community level, strategically connecting stakeholders from various sectors. These hubs serve as spaces for collaboration, information sharing and joint efforts in preventing and responding to domestic violence.
• Convening, Meetings and Training: Stakeholders are strengthened through regular convenings, meetings and training sessions. The activities focus on enhancing coordination, information sharing, building supportive relationships and improving the quality of services.
• Referrals and Resource Sharing: SAFE establishes robust referral systems across stakeholder to ensure survivors of DV have access to a wide range of support and services they need. This includes facilitating referrals to appropriate service providers, reducing service duplication and maximising resource efficiency to better meet the needs of survivors.
• Shared Measurement: SAFE implements a shared measurement system with common objectives, indicators and reporting systems. Data collected through this system feeds into a shared public dashboard, enabling all stakeholders to easily track progress. This shared measurement approach fosters accountability, transparency and collection action among stakeholders.