Former top cop uses Facebook to help women escape abuse at home

FORMER Western Cape Deputy Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Sharon Jephta may have retired three years ago, but she is using her social media accounts to help women leave abusive relationships.

For more than a week, Jephta has embarked on a journey through her Facebook account where she is posting daily tips for women on how to leave abusive marriages and relationships.

Jephta, who is a self-proclaimed life coach and is on a journey of wellness, is sharing her close to 40 years of policing knowledge with the country.

Last month marked the start of the 16 days of Activism of No Violence Against Women and Children.

Jephta was the first woman Divisional Commissioner of the Division Inspectorate in the South African Police Service.

She added that many women do not have access to legal representation and also become depressed.

“I have realised that women and men who are in an abusive relationship suffer higher rates of health problems and social dysfunction resulting in them not being able to live a purposeful balanced life. Those who suffer abuse are less productive at work and are socially isolated due to lost relationships.

“I chose to use Facebook as a medium to reach out to those who are suffering in silence and do not have the courage to break free from the tangled bonds of the abuser. Often victims spend a lot of money on legal fees, not knowing that they can escape without spending a cent.

“Escaping is often scary, but the long term benefits for victims and especially women and their children are priceless.

“Facebook has given me the opportunity to still be involved in the 16 Days Campaign and I am able to reach a wider audience.

“Facebook offers the opportunity where a person can be informed, without that person being identified,” she said.

She explained that her aim was to help, encourage and empower women who believe that they are trapped, and to get them to realise that they can achieve peace in their lives.

“It is important for women to get out of an abusive relationship to escape the agonising pain, find lasting peace and to live a purposeful and balanced life,” she said.

Jephta said her post had already reaped rewards for women who had contacted her for help.

“A few women messaged me with questions and some of them are starting their escape plan.

“To implement an escape plan is a process and should be planned carefully, as your main purpose is to escape without allowing the violence to escalate,” she said.

She outlines these five steps in planning an escape:

1. Don't do anything to escalate the violence. Your plan should maximise your safety and the safety of your children.

2. Make sure that you know where you are going to stay when you escape and that the place is safe.

3. Make sure that you take all crucial documents and items with you when leaving.

4. keep your protection order in a safe place at strategic places where you stay, work or frequent and enforce it when your partner has contravened it.

5. Conserve your emotional energy and resources in order to cope.

Jephta's advice comes just days after MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagan Allen announced that there was an increase in assault cases involving women and children in the province.

During the period between July and September 2022, the crime statistics showed there was an increase of 23,1% when compared to the same period in the previous year. In addition 4.4% more women were murdered.

Their office said for children, during the same comparative period, the cases increased by 9.6% and that murder, and attempted murder for children, decreased by 5.2% and 28.9%, respectively, while attempted murder for women decreased by 21.1%.

“I urge all loved ones, friends, neighbours, community members and society at large to not be silent on this matter. We should under no circumstances be enablers of GBV or any other crime against our women and children, and instead ensure our women and children are safe.

“Let us start eradicating the abuse and assault of our women and children from our society,” Allen said.