One-stop centre helping women in distress

Srikakulam: One-stop centre (OSC) scheme is the best alternative for women victims to get medical, legal, police aid at one place. The Centre has established OSCs at district headquarters hospitals across the nation on December 31, 2015 with an aim to provide aid to women victims at all levels. In AP, 13 OSCs are working and across the nation 170 centres are functioning.

When all government departments and systems have failed to resolve issues of women, then OSCs are best alternatives. A physically challenged girl had been harassed by a 60-year-old man at Polaki mandal centre. Fearing about damage of reputation, the girl was unable to seek police support and her parents also feared to lodge a complaint with the police believing that the old man might manage the police with money.

The girl called to 100 and explained about harassment but police did not respond positively. Finally, the girl called to OSC toll free number 181 on July 28 this year and immediately OSC Srikakulam centre staff responded and registered her complaint and forwarded it to Polaki police.

Subsequently Polaki police warned the old man with dire legal consequences and settled the issue. This is recent live example which explained role of OSCs. OSCs at district headquarters hospitals are consisting of medical, legal, police and expert in women issues.

They are dealing offences against women like domestic violence, rape, sexual abuse, acid attacks, cybercrimes, dowry deaths, dowry harassment, eve-teasing, child marriages, women trafficking, kidnapping, abduction, women missing and harassment at work places.

”In Srikakulam, a total of 463 women have got aid of the OSC so far. In 2016, a total of 205 women approached OSC with various problems, in 2017 a total of 156 women got aid and in current year till July 31, in total 102 women received OSC support” OSC administrator Y Hima Bindu and women counsellor K Nirmala told The Hans India.

“One can approach OSC directly by calling to its landline number 08942-278966 or by calling tollfree number 181 and through collector grievances cell,” assistant police inspector at OSC M Aruna Kumari and legal advisor Kuna Mohan Rao explained to this newspaper.