THE GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE COMMAND CENTRE

The GBV Command Centre (gbv.org.za) is the South African Government's official national portal for GBV crisis response and victim empowerment — operated by the Department of Social Development in partnership with Vodacom. It is the state's primary answer to the national GBV emergency, providing a 24-hour free emergency line, a no-airtime USSD service, a sign language video call facility for Deaf survivors, a national case reporting system, and a suite of educational resources. It functions as both a first point of contact for survivors in crisis and a gateway to the wider network of government and NGO services across all nine provinces.

What They Offer Survivors

24/7 Emergency Crisis Line — 0800 428 428 (Toll-Free) The GBV Command Centre's emergency line is free, available around the clock, and staffed to provide immediate crisis counselling, safety planning, and referrals to shelters, hospitals, SAPS, and NGO support services. Any survivor, anywhere in South Africa, can call this number at any time.

Free USSD — *120*7867# (No Airtime Needed) For survivors with no airtime, the USSD Please Call Me service (*120*7867#) connects them to the Command Centre without any cost. This is a critical access point for survivors in dangerous or financially constrained situations.

SMS for Persons with Disabilities — SMS 'help' to 31531 A dedicated SMS channel ensures that Deaf and hard-of-hearing survivors, or those who cannot speak freely, can access the Command Centre discreetly and safely.

Video Sign Language Call A video call function is available specifically for Deaf survivors who use South African Sign Language — ensuring that GBV support is accessible to everyone, regardless of communication need.

Bright Sky SA App Bright Sky SA is a free mobile app linked to the Command Centre that allows users to: complete a risk assessment questionnaire to assess whether they or someone they know is in an abusive relationship; access information about different forms of GBV; browse case studies; and use geo-location to find the nearest police stations, hospitals, and NGO support services. It is available for free download and works across South Africa.

National Case Reporting The website includes a structured online case reporting tool — allowing survivors (or people reporting on behalf of someone) to formally document an incident and have it directed to the appropriate authorities.

Victim Empowerment Programme — Government Framework The broader Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP), coordinated through this portal, is the government's national framework for GBV response — bringing together SAPS, Social Development, Health, Justice, and NGO partners to deliver integrated support to survivors. The JCPS (Justice, Crime Prevention and Security) cluster coordinates inter-departmental GBV response under this programme.

Everyday Heroes — Community Education Comics A series of six graphic comics tells the stories of a vibrant, multicultural peri-urban community navigating GBV — designed to shift community attitudes and inspire ordinary people to support survivors and challenge violence.

Government GBV emergency line: 0800 428 428 (free, 24/7). No airtime: *120*7867#. Disability SMS: 'help' to 31531. Website: gbv.org.za.