Centre opened to shelter, support survivors of rape, violence
A centre was opened in this central Assam town on Saturday to provide shelter and support services to survivors of rape and other forms of violence against women and girls.
The one stop centre (OSC) for those women, was set up by the Hailakandi district administration and the social welfare department in collaboration with an NGO.
The OSC would be a place where integrated servicespolice assistance, legal aid, medical and counselling serviceswould be made available to the women victims of violence, Additional Deputy Commissioner Amalendu Roy said at the launching of the centre.
A toll free help number 181 is being made available to women in distress, Roy said.
The OSC could fill a critical need for support services for survivors of rape and other forms of violence against women and girls, said Kabir Ahmed, secretary of Wodwichee, the NGO.
"It can also serve as an educational resource for healthcare workers, police, lawyers, and judges," he added.
The OSCs were prioritised