Shelters . It was highlighted that there was a severe shortage of shelters for women, particularly in rural areas. It was not evident if any measures were in place to address the shortage. . In addition, the limited access to emergency shelters for victims of domestic violence required urgent attention. Poor co-ordination . There was a lack of synergy between the different programmes within the Department of Social Development. As such, a victim of domestic violence was often not assessed for social security benefits. Social security . It was noted that in many instances, persons with severe mental illness struggle to access disability grants, and that the South African Social Security Agency must ensure measures to make these services accessible.