One Stop Centre becomes functional in Barnala

Parvesh Sharma

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Tribune News Service

Barnala, March 8

The district administration on Friday started Sakhi: One Stop Centre (OSC) here. Any woman affected by violence at private and public spaces, within the family, community and at the workplace can approach the centre authorities for help.

“Aggrieved women facing any kind of violence due to attempted sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, trafficking, honour-related crimes and acid attacks can approach the centre authorities any time. They would get all required help,” said Barnala Deputy Commissioner (DC) Tej Partap Singh Phoolka.

The DC said the centre would provide medical, legal and psychological aid to the victim under one roof. He said the victims would get a five-day short stay at the centre with all facilities, including food. If shelter was needed for a longer period, she would be sent to government or non-government shelter homes.

“The centre will support all women, including girls, below 18 years of age affected by violence, irrespective of caste, class, religion, region, sexual orientation or marital status,” said the DC.

District Programme Officer (DPO) Kulwinder Singh said the centre had been established in Room No. 32, Old Building of Civil Hospital, Barnala.

“He said the victim of any kind of violence can contact the centre (telephone 01679-230181) and soon the centre will be linked with helpline 181. Victims, including their children, will get all kinds of medical help from a panel of doctors from different specialties like gynaecologist, paediatrician, medicine, forensic medicine specialist,” said the DPO.

He said the centre would also take the required steps for speedy filing of an FIR against the accused and the victim would get legal aid from the centre through an expert lawyer or the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA).