News Desk Reporter
People seeking help for gender-based violence have been contacting the national support service in greater numbers this month.
The Department of Social Development said its 24-hour Gender-Based Violence Command Centre received 6,782 calls between 1 and 16 September.
That works out to an average of about 424 calls a day, compared with 350 a day during the same period in August.
The number increased further between 13 and 16 September, when the centre received about 500 calls a day.
On 16 September, it recorded 589 calls, the highest daily figure for the period.
The increase comes amid heightened concern over violence against women, particularly in Ekurhuleni, where nine women have been found dead in recent weeks.
The department said the figures are preliminary and that further monitoring is needed to establish whether the increase represents a sustained trend.
The GBV Command Centre provides support to survivors and members of the public who need assistance or want to report abuse.
People needing support can contact the centre on 0800 428 428. A “PLEASE CALL ME” can be sent to 1207867#, while “HELP” can be SMSed to 31531.