Calls for help in domestic violence cases surge in Cape Town

The City of Cape Town has reported a staggering 45% rise in calls related to domestic violence over the past financial year, highlighting a troubling trend amidst ongoing violence against women and children, ***Cape {town} Etc ***reports.

The Public Emergency Communication Centre revealed that the number of reported incidents rose from 4,464 calls two years ago to a substantial 6,487 in the most recent twelve-month reporting period of 2025/2026.

This increase not only reflects the persistent threat of domestic violence in the region, but also points to a growing willingness among survivors to speak out and seek assistance.

‘The increase in the rate of reporting is likely a combination of the continued assault on women and children, but also more survivors speaking up,‘ stated Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

As society approaches the annual 16 Days of Activism Campaign against Gender-Based Violence, the call for action is growing louder.

Smith emphasised that mere dialogue will not suffice; effective resource allocation, rapid arrests, and maximum sentencing are crucial for fostering a safer environment for vulnerable groups. ‘Justice for vulnerable groups demands effective resourcing, swift arrests and prosecutions and maximum sentences that act as an effective deterrent,’ he affirmed.

The data, sourced from the Safety and Security Directorate’s Emergency Policing and Incident Command (EPIC) system, also unveiled the suburbs most affected by domestic violence calls.

Tafelsig topped the list with 6.8%, followed by Wesbank at 3.6%, and Manenberg at 2.8%. Other impacted areas included Sherwood Park, Eastridge, Bonteheuwel, and Hanover Park, all grappling with unsettling violence rates.

In response to these alarming statistics, the City’s Metro Police Department acted on 941 reported incidents, leading to 126 arrests. However, the enforcement efforts face significant challenges; in many cases, suspects flee before officers arrive, and complainants often hesitate to press charges.

In such delicate situations, police may assist in removing the aggressor to a safe location and advise the victim on obtaining a protection order under the Domestic Violence Act, 1998.

Alderman Smith stressed the complexity of these incidents, noting that domestic violence is not limited to intimate relationships. Aggressors can be family members threatening parents or other relatives, creating an environment of fear within households.

Substance abuse plays a considerable role in many incidents, complicating the already difficult enforcement landscape. ‘These conflicts do not happen in isolation – it requires a whole-of-society approach that goes far beyond that first emergency call and the resultant enforcement response,’ he said.

For those in need of immediate assistance, the public is reminded to save the Public Emergency Communication Centre number, 021 480 7700, on their cellphones.

Residents are also encouraged to utilise the Safety and Security feature on the City App, which allows for the direct logging of non-emergency incidents, thereby freeing call-takers to focus on life-threatening situations.

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Domestic violence incidents in Cape Town surge by over 100%

Picture: Tarun Savvy / Unsplash

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