One-Stop Crisis Centre for domestic violence victims starts operation in Ferozepur
Ferozepur October 23, 2018: On Monday, a Seminar on One Stop Crisis Centre – to facilitate victims of domestic violence – was organized by the District Legal Service Authority – DLSA in collaboration with District Programme Officer Child Social Security and Women and Child Development Department, at the ADR Centre, presided over by S.K.Aggarwal, District and Sessions Judge, Ferozepur.
One Stop Crisis Centre – OSCC – have been started for giving relief to rape, violence-affected survivors – destitute women to offer counselling, medical and legal help in Civil Hospital at the second floor of Maternity Department. The One-Stop Crisis Centre is to be constructed inside the Civil Hospital premises adjoining the emergency wing. The civil hospital authorities for the meantime have made a temporary arrangement inside the emergency for the centre.
Added here, the Ministry of Women and Child Development had recommended one-stop crisis centres for women in each district of the country after the Nirbhaya rape case in Delhi in 2012.
Speaking on the occasion, S.K.Aggarwal, District and Sessions Judge said, “Women may use the law for their rights but not with revengeful attitude.
He said, there is a need to change the mindset of the people to put an end to the domestic violence. No doubt, the judiciary is available for any legal assistance but people should think of living a loveable life instead of lawful life.
Giving PowerPoint Presentation, Baljinder Singh, Secretary, DLSA said, “Besides cases of domestic violence, including physical and mental harassment cases reported in the households, who face such ill-treatment at public places, can approach the centre for assistance,” he said.
There was also an interaction session with the participants.
The OSCC is equipped with adequate staff. The centre would provide medical assistance, police help, free legal assistance through District Legal Service Authority – DLSA for court cases, psycho-social counselling and temporary shelter to children and women affected by any kind of violence.
Ritu Palta highlighted the features of operation of OSCC. She said the centre will remain open round the clock and provide temporary shelter, psycho-social support and counselling facilities to the victims. The centre will have a dedicated helpline so that immediate assistance could be provided to women in distress.
The centre will be under CCTV surveillance throughout the day and night. There will be a facility of video conferencing in special cases where victims fail to appear in the court in person for recording their statement, she added.
Present among others were – Baljinder Singh CJM-cum-Secretary, DLSA Ferozepur, Madam Shikha Goyal, Senior Civil Judge, Judicial Magistrate Madam Harmilakjot Kaur, Amit Gupta, SDM Ferozepur, representatives of various NGOs, Counseling Members of Women Cell, Principals of Women College.
