“Sakhi One Stop Centre” to become operational soon

Ludhiana: Deputy Commissioner Mr Varinder Kumar Sharma today informed that the upcoming “Sakhi One Stop Centre” would provide integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence. Unique initiative of Social Security, Women and Child Development department, this building would become operational soon as more than 60% construction work has already been completed. This building is coming up within the premises of Civil Hospital, Ludhiana.

The Deputy Commissioner informed that the construction of the building which had separate rooms for medical aid, police assistance, legal aid/case management, psychosocial counselling and temporary support services. Apart from this, the building also houses a 10-bedded shelter room.

He informed that the centre is presently operating from the mother-child care hospital building situated at Civil Hospital, Ludhiana and has been offering assistance to rape, domestic violence and physical and mental harassment victims. He said its basic purpose was to ensure that the rights of the victim were protected and they were able to get justice through proper assistance by the authorities.

“The new building will prove to be a boon for the needy women. The centre will provide a healing touch to the victims of domestic violence and exploitation. It provides support and assistance to women affected by violence both in private and public spaces, besides safeguarding their interests in other cases such as sexual exploitation and physical or mental torture,” said the Deputy Commissioner.

He further informed that these centres will be integrated with Toll free women helpline number 181 and other existing help lines so that women affected by violence and wants to need the redressal services, could be referred to the Sakhi One Stop Centre through these help lines.

Mr Varinder Kumar Sharma said that Emergency Response and Rescue Services Medical Assistance to women in lodging FIR/NCR/DIR Psycho-Social support/counselling Legal aid and counselling shelter are being provided in these centres. 
He said that the Sakhi scheme supports women of all ages affected by violence, both in private and public spaces. It facilitates access to integrated police assistance, psycho-social counselling, legal counselling/legal aid and temporary shelter under one roof 24/7.

He informed that the Sakhi Centres are managed by 14 professional staff comprising a centre administrator, psycho-social counsellors, case workers, para-medical workers, legal counsellor, data analyst, finance and admin assistant, multi-purpose helpers and security guards. Any woman in crisis situation can call Helpline 181 and through rescue van the woman/girl would be brought to the Sakhi Centre, and would be given shelter, if required and a welcome kit comprising all toiletries and essential commodities.

The DC said if the victim was minor, cases were solved in coordination with the authorities or institutions established under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.
Mr Gulbahar Singh, District Programme Officer, Ludhiana, informed that 177 cases have been resolved through this centre, which is presently operating from mother-child care hospital building situated at Civil Hospital, Ludhiana and 18 cases are under process. He said that the new building is expected to complete by March 2021.