Help & rights
Where to get help, and what you are entitled to
You do not have to work this out alone, and you do not have to be able to afford a lawyer to get advice.
Talk to someone now
These are real, staffed services — trained counsellors, police and legal advisers you can reach right now by phone, message or online chat. Tap a button below to be put straight through. Most are free of charge.
This website itself cannot answer your questions live. Nothing you type here is sent to anyone.
GBV Command Centre
Open 24 hours, every dayGovernment counsellors for gender-based violence and sexual assault. Free from any network. They can also arrange a social worker to call you back.
SAPS emergency
Open 24 hours, every dayIf you are in danger right now, or a crime is happening, phone the police.
Legal Aid SA advice line
Weekdays, office hoursFree legal advice by phone, including whether you qualify for a free lawyer and which court handles your matter.
Childline South Africa
Open 24 hours, every dayCounsellors trained to speak with children and teenagers, and with the adults caring for them. There is also an online chat on their website.
SADAG (mental health)
8am to 8pm, and a 24-hour suicide crisis lineCounselling and referrals if the case is affecting your mental health, or your child's.
TEARS Foundation
Open 24 hours, every daySends you the details of your nearest care centre for sexual assault, by return message.
LifeLine
Open 24 hours, every dayA trained person to talk to, any time, about anything you are carrying.
Government
Free or state-run services, including emergency numbers and official complaints channels.
Emergency — SAPS
Immediate danger, police response, fire and ambulance.
10111
GBV Command Centre
24-hour counselling and referral for gender-based violence. Can call for you or connect you to police, ambulance or a social worker.
0800 428 428
Visit their websiteChildline South Africa
Free 24-hour counselling for children and those caring for them.
116
Visit their websiteLegal Aid SA Advice Line
Free legal advice if you cannot afford a lawyer. They also run offices at many magistrates' courts.
0800 110 110
Visit their websiteThuthuzela Care Centres
One-stop government centres for sexual offence victims: medical care, counselling, police and prosecution support in one place.
Find your nearest centre via gov.za
Visit their websiteSAPS Crime Stop
Anonymous tip-offs about criminal activity, including information that could help an investigation.
08600 10111
Visit their websiteSADAG
Mental health and suicide crisis support, available by phone and SMS.
0800 567 567
Visit their websitePresidential Hotline
When a government department has not helped after repeated attempts.
17737
Visit their websiteSouth African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC)
Complaints about human rights violations, including unfair treatment by police or officials.
011 877 3600
Visit their websiteCommission for Gender Equality (CGE)
Complaints and investigations about gender discrimination and gender-based violence.
0800 007 709
Visit their websiteIPID — Independent Police Investigative Directorate
Complaints about police misconduct, assault, corruption or failure to investigate.
012 399 0000
Visit their websiteDepartment of Justice court services
Court rolls, small claims court information and court locator.
0860 268 587
Visit their website
Foundations & NGOs
Non-profit organisations that offer counselling, shelter, court support and advocacy.
Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust
Counselling, court support and survivor-centred services for rape and sexual assault survivors.
021 447 9762
Visit their websiteTEARS Foundation
Free access to crisis support, counselling and forensic examination for sexual assault survivors.
010 590 5920
Visit their websitePeople Opposing Women Abuse (POWA)
Shelter, counselling and legal support for women and children experiencing abuse.
011 591 6803
Visit their websiteNisaa Institute for Women's Development
Shelter, counselling and empowerment for women and children affected by gender-based violence.
011 854 5804
Visit their websiteMosaic
Free counselling and legal advice for women facing abuse, including help with protection orders.
021 761 7585
Visit their websiteSonke Gender Justice
Support, policy work and community programmes on gender-based violence, focusing on men and boys.
021 423 7088
Visit their websiteThe Teddy Bear Foundation (formerly Teddy Bear Clinic for Abused Children)
Medical, psychological and legal services for abused children, and training for those who support them.
011 484 4554
Visit their websiteWomen and Men Against Child Abuse
Advocacy, counselling and court support for child abuse cases.
011 789 8815
Visit their websiteShukumisa Coalition
A coalition of organisations working on sexual violence policy, prevention and survivor support.
Via member organisations
Visit their website
Private care
Registered private professionals and services you may choose to pay for directly or through medical aid.
Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA)
Verify that a psychologist or mental health professional is registered, or find a registered practitioner.
012 338 9300
Visit their websitePsychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA)
Find a registered psychologist, including those who specialise in trauma.
011 486 3322
Visit their websiteLaw Society of South Africa
Find a practising attorney or check whether an attorney is registered.
012 366 8800
Visit their websiteMediation in Motion / private family mediators
Private mediators can help settle civil and family disputes without going to trial. Useful for maintenance, contact and money disputes.
SA Association of Mediators: 081 071 7000
Visit their websitePrivate trauma counsellors
Many psychologists, social workers and registered counsellors offer private trauma counselling. Medical aids often cover sessions with a referral.
Ask your GP or search PsySSA / HPCSA registers
Visit their websitePrivate hospitals with sexual assault services
Private hospitals can provide a medical examination, PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis), emergency contraception and counselling. Go as soon as possible after an assault.
Your nearest private hospital emergency unit
Your rights as a victim of crime
South Africa's Victims' Charter sets out what you can expect from the police, the prosecution and the courts.
- To be treated with fairness and with respect for your dignity and privacy.
- To offer information to the investigation and the prosecution, and to have it considered.
- To receive information about the progress of your case, including bail, court dates and the outcome.
- To protection from intimidation, and to ask for safety measures and bail conditions.
- To assistance — an interpreter, a private room, a support person, and referral to counselling.
- To compensation where the law allows, and to restitution of property taken from you.
- To be told about, and to make representations regarding, parole where you have registered to be notified.
If you feel you are being ignored
- Ask the police station's detective branch commander or the station commander to intervene.
- Ask the senior public prosecutor at the court for the reasons behind a decision, in writing.
- Complaints about police conduct can be taken to IPID, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate.
- Phone Legal Aid SA on 0800 110 110 for free advice about your options.