Beyond the Cheer: A Case Study on Policing Gender-Based Violence Crimes During Festive Celebrations, 2012-2023
Sabelinah M. Tshoane 
Issue: Vol.6 No.2 Issue Article 9 pp. 147 -157
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.2025629 | Published online 17th February, 2025
© 2025 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
As festive celebrations unfold, the holiday season not only brings joy but also an unfortunate increase in gender-based violence (GBV) crimes. This qualitative study employs a systematic review, using indirect observation schedules to identify and describe existing literature. Using inductive textual content analysis, the study examines the challenges faced by law enforcement in addressing gender-based violence crimes during festive periods. It explored the factors contributing to the surge in violence. Beyond the cheer of the season, increased social activities, alcohol consumption, and financial stress exacerbate tensions within relationships, making both women and men vulnerable to abuse. The study examined the multifaceted strategies employed by police forces to address GBV, including enhanced visibility, community engagement, and collaboration with support organizations. Moreover, the findings shed light on the significance of public awareness campaigns and the use of technology to curb GBV incidents. Based on the findings, the study recommends the strengthening of alcohol regulation policies, by implementing stricter regulations on alcohol sales and consumption, particularly during festive seasons, to address its role as a contributing factor to GBV. Establish a national monitoring system to track the relationship between alcohol consumption and GBV rates over time. A comprehensive strategy should involve collaboration between community members and law enforcement agencies to ensure prompt reporting of GBV cases and to aid in the identification of perpetrators. By analyzing the intersection of festive celebrations and GBV, this paper seeks to contribute to a broader understanding of the challenges faced by law enforcement and the potential avenues for creating safer environments during the holiday season.
Keywords: Policing, Gender-Based Violence, Crime, Festive Seasons, South Africa
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Dr. Sabelinah M. Tshoane is currently a Lecturer in the Department of Law, Safety & Security Management, Faculty of Humanities, Tshwane University of Technology, Limpopo, South Africa. she serves as an editorial board member of different journals and a member of Criminological Society of Africa.
Tshoane, Sabelinah M. “Beyond the Cheer: A Case Study on Policing Gender-Based Violence Crimes During Festive Celebrations, 2012-2023,” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 6, no.2 (2025): 147-157. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.2025629
© 2025 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
