Protection orders and GBV

How protection orders work in South Africa and where survivors of gender-based violence can find safety and support.

2 min read · Awareness resource · Reviewed 2026-09-15

If you or someone you love is experiencing abuse, please know that help is available, what is happening is not your fault, and there are legal protections designed specifically to keep you safe.

What it is

A protection order is a legal tool available under South African law (primarily the Domestic Violence Act) that instructs an abuser to stop specific behaviours - such as contact, harassment, or entering a shared home - and can carry criminal consequences if breached. It applies to domestic relationships, including partners, family members, and people who share a household. An interim protection order can often be granted quickly, with a final order following a court process.

Signs to notice

Gender-based violence isn't always physical. Consider seeking support if you or someone you know is experiencing:

Physical violence, threats, or intimidation from a partner or family member.
Controlling behaviour - restricting money, movement, contact with friends and family, or communication.
Emotional or verbal abuse that leaves you feeling constantly afraid, small, or on edge.
Sexual coercion or abuse within a relationship.
Stalking, harassment, or repeated unwanted contact after a relationship has ended.

What helps

Prioritise immediate safety first. If you are in danger right now, contact SAPS on 10111 or go to a safe location.
Know that applying for a protection order is free and can be done at your local Magistrate's Court, without needing a private attorney, though support organisations can help you through the process.
Build a safety plan, including a bag with essential documents, some cash, and a safe place to go if you need to leave quickly.
Keep evidence where safe to do so - messages, photos of injuries, or a diary of incidents with dates - as this can support a protection order application.
Reach out to a trusted person or organisation. Isolation is often part of how abuse continues; connecting with even one safe person can make a significant difference.
Be gentle with yourself about timing. Leaving an abusive situation is often not a single decision but a process - many survivors need multiple attempts and support to do so safely.
Support, don't judge, someone who confides in you. Believe them, help them access resources, and let them make their own decisions about timing and safety.

When to reach out for help

Reach out immediately if you or someone else is in physical danger, if threats have escalated, or if you feel unsafe in your own home. Support is also available for the emotional aftermath of abuse - fear, shame, and trauma responses are normal and treatable with the right support.

Getting help in South Africa

The GBV Command Centre (0800 428 428) operates 24 hours and can guide you to shelters, legal support, and counselling. Protection orders can be applied for at your local Magistrate's Court at no cost. Cleared Mind's EAP counsellors are available confidentially to support you emotionally at any stage of this process.

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, reach out now. SADAG Suicide Crisis Helpline (24h): 0800 567 567 or SMS 31393. SAPS 10111, ambulance 10177, GBV Command Centre 0800 428 428.