‘Sakhi One Stop Centre’ for women, children in distress

The ‘Sakhi One Stop Centre’ is a vital initiative providing comprehensive support to women and girls who have faced violence, including acid attacks, domestic violence, trafficking, and sexual harassment.

Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap emphasised the importance of making women aware of this facility, which offers a range of services, including medical assistance, legal aid and psychological counselling. “Our endeavour is to make women and girls aware about this facility so that they get support on being victims of violence which they may face within the family, workplace or within the community or in private or public places,” he said.

The centre has already received 139 complaints and is working to establish a similar facility in Rampur.

To ensure women can seek help in emergency situations, the centre is accessible 24/7 through the Mahila toll free helpline 181. Kashyap also reviewed the work of the child helpline. “Any kind of exploitation against children is not unacceptable. Children are provided protection under various laws of the state and central government and the child helpline proves to be helpful for children,” he said. The child helpline, Child Line, has received 198 complaints this financial year, with action taken on every complaint. Child Line aims at protecting the rights of children between zero and 18 years old, including those affected by abuse, child labour and trafficking.

The ‘Sakhi One Stop Centre’ is part of a larger initiative by the Ministry of Women and Child Development to support women and children in distress.

The centre’s services are integrated with a Women Helpline, providing access to emergency response and rescue services, medical assistance, and legal aid. The government has also announced plans to establish One Stop Centres in 10 countries, including Australia, Canada, and the UAE to support women affected by violence.