Sakhi, a one-stop centre for the violence-affected women folk, will act as their friend by providing medical, legal, and psychological counseling — all under one roof.
The centre would rescue all women, affected from physical violence, domestic violence, trafficking, dishonored, acid attacks, among other things. For the same, the Sakhi would collaborate with the Punjab Police’s ‘181 Women Helpline’.
The centre has been set up at Bathinda by the Union Ministry for Social Security and Women and Child Development wherein women facing violence at homes, in society, private and government sector can be given help, said Bathinda’s Additional Deputy Commissioner (D) Dr Shena Aggarwal.
Dr Aggarwal stated that any female above 18 years of age from any class, caste, creed or color, married, unmarried or widow will be given shelter and help in this centre. Besides, the affected women can stay with daughters of any age and sons up to age of eight years.
The Center has been set up under Juvenile Justice Board (care and child security) Act, 2000, and for girls below 18 years of age. Affected females will be provided shelter and basic needs of soap, oil, sanitary pads, sewing kit, comb, brush, paste, diaper etc.
The violence affected women will be provided security and referral services. Under this, the women will be provided help through National Health Misison, 108 ambulance, PCR van etc. For medical help, the woman will be admitted to nearest civil or private hospital.
The women will also be provided police related help. Besides this, the center has expert psychological expert and social help providers. The affected women will be helped in all possible manner.
She added that to provide justice to the woman, legal help will be provided through lawyer enlisted through national, state, or district empaneled advocates. The woman will also be provided with a lawyer to contest her case in the court, she added.
The violence affected woman would be provided temporary shelter and if shelter is needed for longer period, she would be sent to the centers being run by government, NGOs or other organizations.
To provide justice to the affected as soon as possible, video conferencing facility would also be provided to the victims.