The State Government on Tuesday issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for coordinated response in violence like rape, sexual assault, domestic violence and dowry-related violence, etc., committed against women and girls.
The Health Department issued the SOP. It defines the scope of the health infrastructure in initiating legal action against the perpetrators, offenders or wrongdoers and providing long term support and linkages for recovery and rehabilitation.
It also contains information on the role of other stakeholders like the police, District legal Service Authority, DCPU and CWC etc. with whom the health care providers have to work in coordination. The SOP is based on the provisions and suggestions outlined under various legislations, notable among which are the IPC, CrPC, Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA), Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO), and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act.
