Beyond the Hashtag: Your Guide to Supporting GBV Survivors — This Festive Season and Beyond 💜🤝

Stop. 
Take a moment before the playlists, braais, and last-minute shopping are overtaken by the Christmas buzz. 
Because someone close to you can be counting down to danger while many are counting down to relaxation and celebration. An employee. An aunt. One neighbour. Their December may be filled with anxiety rather than happiness.

And although the official 16 Days of Activism campaign has passed, gender-based violence doesn’t end on 10 December. Not in South Africa. Not when our GBV/GBVF statistics remain so devastating that the government has declared it a national disaster.

That’s why staying informed, equipped, and ready to support someone in crisis is not just seasonal — it’s essential all year round.

The festive season may heighten risks, but the guidance in this article applies to any month, any moment, any survivor who may turn to you.

You might think: “What if I say the wrong thing? I’m not trained for this.”
But the fact that you care — and are willing to learn — already makes you a powerful first responder.

This is your practical, compassionate guide to showing up safely, supportively, and sustainably.

1. Your Role in a South African Reality 🏢➡️❤️

We know the truth: South Africa’s support systems are overloaded. Survivors often face long, difficult journeys to safety.

That’s why your presence matters more than you realise.

You’re not expected to be SAPS, a lawyer, or a therapist.
Your real role?
To be the bridge — the one who connects their trauma to trust, their loneliness to hope, and their fear to the support available.

Your calm, non-judgmental voice can be the safest place they have.

2. The Language of a Lifeline — What to SAY (and NOT Say) 🗣️➡️🤫

Your words matter.

✅ Say this:

• “I believe you.”
• “This is not your fault.”
• “You’re not alone.”
• “How can I support you right now?”

❌ Avoid saying:

• “Why didn’t you leave?”
• “He never seems like that.”
• “Don’t ruin the holidays.”
• “You need to…”

When unsure, a simple:  “Thank you for trusting me.”
…can create relief and safety.

3. The Actions of an Empowered Ally — What to DO 🤝➡️⚡

Pause before reacting

Don’t jump into solutions. Let them lead.

Create a Festive Safety Plan

• Code word for help
• Safe room at gatherings
• Exit strategy you can assist with

Document safely — only with consent

Screenshots, dates, times, injuries — stored securely.

4. Don’t Ignore the Supporter’s Blind Spot: Your Own Well-being 🛑➡️

Supporting a survivor is emotionally heavy work. Many supporters experience:

• anxiety
• burnout
• guilt
• sleep disruption
• secondary trauma

This is normal — but it is not something you must carry alone.

5. Trauma Assist: Your Built-In Support System (VAS) 🩵🛡️

At Legal&Tax, we know that trauma doesn’t only affect the survivor, it impacts their children, their household and the person trying to support them.
Often, supporters carry their own emotional burden in silence.

That’s exactly why Trauma Assist exists as a Value-Added Service (VAS).
It’s designed to support you, so you can continue supporting others without burning out.

With Trauma Assist, you get:

✅Professional, confidential trauma counselling
✅Support for the policyholder and their immediate family
✅For Business Protector clients - access often extends to employees
✅Expert guidance for coping with stress, emotional overwhelm, and next steps
✅A safe, judgement-free space to process what you’re carrying emotionally

If you’re helping a GBV survivor, you don’t need to hold that weight alone. Trauma Assist gives you structured, professional support so you can stay emotionally grounded and resilient—both during the festive season and beyond.

Extra Tools You Can Use Right Now 📘🛠️

To help you stay informed and empowered, explore these additional resources:

🔗POWA Care Pack – Your Guide to Supporting Abuse Survivors

🔗Domestic Violence & Protection Order Guide
Understand what domestic violence legally includes and how protection orders work. 

These tools can help you or someone you care about take informed, legally sound next steps. 

6. Essential South African GBV Resources 📞➡️🔒

📞GBV Command Centre: 080 042 8428 
📞POWA: 011 591 6803
📞TEARS Foundation: HELPLINE: 08000 TEARS / 08000 83277 / Support Locator: *134*7355#

Is Your Safety Net Complete?

Protection isn’t just about legal or financial cover.
It’s about emotional and psychological backing — for you and your loved ones.

If your plan doesn’t include Trauma Assist or full-circle protection, we can help fix that.

👉Let’s build your personalised circle of security — legal, emotional, and financial.

With Legal&Tax you’re not alone

Need Support? We’re Here for You 🩵 

💬 WhatsApp: +27 (71) 526 8527(type “Hi” to start chatting) 
☎️ Call: 0860 587 587
✉️ Email: info@legalandtax.co.za

Legal&Tax — With you, every step of the way.