1 PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT: GENDER BASED VIOLENCE COMMAND CENTRE 21 JUNE 2017
2 OUTLINE OF THE REPORT Introduction BackgroundOperations and staff component Impact and Progress Operational Costs: Budget and Expenditure Conclusion
3 INTRODUCTION The South African society is perceived to be having one of the highest prevalence of violence and violence - related injury in the world. The high levels of violence against women and children are particularly alarming and continue to have devastating and lasting effects on survivors. Violence also harms families across generations, as well as communities and constitutes one of the key drivers of the HIV epidemic in the country. It undermines social and economic development; reinforces intergenerational cycles of poverty, inequalities and continues to impede progress towards achievement of the SDGs, the NDP 2030 and the realization of human rights.
4 BACKGROUND Given the urgent need for national action to protect women and children from all forms of violence and guided by South Africa’s legal human rights obligations, the Government established an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC). An IMC on Violence against women and children (VAWC); which is led by the DSD, was established on the 3rd May The IMC established the Technical Task Team which was given a responsibility to investigate the root causes of VAWC with the objective to develop a comprehensive strategy to address the scourge, intensification and acceleration of efforts to prevent acts of VAWC. The work of the IMC on VAWC also culminated with the diagnostic review to ascertain the state’s response to VAWC by reviewing both the institutional and programmatic mechanisms by which the state addresses the problem.
5 BACKGROUND The IMC developed the VAWC Programme of Action (POA) which was approved by Cabinet in September 2013. The aim of the POA is to eliminate of all forms of violence against women and children. The POA: VAWC is an important foundation in a longer journey to realize the long term vision of all women and children living free from violence in South Africa. The framework for the realization of this vision is articulated in the three pillars namely 1. Prevention and Protection, 2. Response, as well as 3. Care and Support.
6 OVERALL GOAL & KEY INTERVENTION PILLARS OF THE POA: VAWC PROGRAMMEThe Elimination of all forms of violence against women and children PREVENTION PROTECTION and RESPONSE SUPPORT CARE and Advocacy and Communication Legislation and Policies, Governance and Accountability, Intersectoral Collaboration and Coordination, Capacity- Building, Human Resources and Finances, M&E and Research.
7 PROGRAMME THEMATIC AREASEmergency Package of Services Governance, Policy and Legislation Programmes, Inter-sectoral Collaboration and Coordination Advocacy and Communication
8 SOLUTION OVERVIEW The solution will encompass the elements of people, process, technology and structure. The command centre will be the front line for victims of gender-based violence. All interactions to be recorded, secure data storage, Call centre uptime to be at a minimum of 99% availability, service will be in all official languages. The centre will create a case and refer it to the appropriate intervention required The back office will also be responsible for case management and follow up
9 Weekly reporting to the Provincial officeCounselors Trained CSO`s Social Work Veterans DSD COMMAND CENTRE Response NPA (TCC) DoJ&CD ( Sexual offenses courts) Referral Monthly reporting to the National Office NGO`s/ Red doors/Green doors Shelters/Khuseleka One stop centers Psychosocial Support DoH Hospitals& Clinics Reporting SAPS (Victim Friendly & FCS ) Weekly reporting to the Provincial office District Social Workers Coordinators Reporting Follow up
10 COLLABORATIVE MODEL Command Centre NERT & SAPS JusticeProvinces and NGOs Health Cellular providers Home Affairs
11 The Gender Based Violence Command Centre Project forms part of the RESPONSE pillar 2 of the Programme of Action against Gender Based Violence. The project serves as a response to the Minister’s call for the establishment of a national Command Centre as one of the vehicles to implement gender based violence prevention.
12 OPERATIONS The Command Centre operates a National, 24hr/7days Call Centre facility The centre operates on a two 12 hour shifts schedule starting at 7am. The facility employs social workers who are responsible for call taking and call referral The Centre operates an Emergency Line number This is supported by a USSD, “please call me” facility: *120*7867# A Skype Line ‘Helpme GBV’ for members of the deaf community (Add ‘Helpme GBV’ to your skype contacts) An SMS Based Line ‘31531’ for persons with disability. ( SMS help to 31531) The Centre is able to refer calls directly to SAPS (10111) and field Social Workers who respond to victims of GBV. The Centre presently employs 48 Social Work Agents, 8 Social Work Supervisors, 4 Quality Assurers and 1 Centre Manager on a 3 year contract (1 April 2015 to 1 March 2018), to operate and offer services to victims of Gender Based Violence.
13 PROGRESS ON PILLAR TWO (2)The GBV Centre received Accolades for the Technological Innovation Nationally & Internationally (London & Las Vegas) since it’s operation Won Gold at the Contact Centre Management Group Annual Awards in August 2014 for Best Technology Innovation in South Africa. Won the Changing Lives Award at the 7th annual AfricaCom Awards in November 2014 Won Gold for Best Technology Innovation at the th Annual ContactCenterWorld Top Ranking Performer Awards in June 2015 for the EMEA region . Won Gold for the Best Technology Innovation at the global 10th Annual Contact Centres Best in the World Awards in November 2015.
14 PROGRESS ON PILLAR TWO (2)Fully functional location based system (LBS) which can locate a victim within 100 meters. Fully functional telephonic counseling service. Telephonic counseling services have been rendered successfully in the following instances: Nelson Mandela Hotline for the Nation (December 2013) Nigerian SCOAN Church collapse tragedy in September 2014 2014, 2015 & 2016 Matric class results counseling services. Matriculants received counseling from the Command Centre. Stop Violence Against Foreign Nationals April 2015 The GBV Centre has received a number of Accolades for the Technological Innovation both Nationally and Internationally (London & Las Vegas) since it’s operation.
15 PROGRESS ON PILLAR TWO (2)Command Centre was piloted successfully in designated areas within Gauteng province i.e. Tshwane and JHB Metro 6 social workers from the Child Protection Unit within Gauteng operated mobile devices to respond to case referrals from the Command Centre- They are linked the SAPS FCS Unit Cases were successfully referred to social workers for resolution and further intervention
16 IMPACT AND PROGRESS
17 GEORAPHIC SPREAD OF CALLS
18 TYPES OF CALLS
19 IMPACT AND PROGRESS The Command Centre launched the following in December 2016: A Skype Line (Helpme GBV). An SMS Based Line (31531). A National Emergency Response Team (NERT) to support the services of the centre, it provides a 24 hour response on psychosocial counselling. Support is rendered to the victim/family, provides crisis intervention and refers to provinces for further interventions.
20 Operational Costs: Budget and Expenditure COMPENSATION
21 Operational Costs: Budget and ExpenditureCost Item Cost per employee per annum Combined employee cost per annum Call Centre Manager (Level 11) R Social Work Supervisors *6 (Level 9) R R Social Work Agents *48 (Level 7) R R Quality Assurers * 2 (8) R R Total R R
22 Operational Costs: Budget and Expenditure OPERATIONS
23 Operational Costs: Budget and ExpenditureCost Item Cost per month Cost per annum Facility Rental R R GPS facility R R Mobile Facility R R Technical Workflow Management *5 R R Voice and Data costs R R TOTAL R R
24 CONCLUSION The technological innovative services have increased access to victims of violence and crime since the inception of the 24hr/7days telephone counseling services. The success of the project depends entirely on sound inter-sectoral collaboration and coordination on Victim Empowerment services. It has broadened the base of service delivery to the remotest and most underdeveloped areas of the country It avails real-time functionality to Department of Social Development (DSD), including strategic reporting on trends in specific locations or types of violence, and demand for social workers in a specific location.
25 Thank you