India has taken significant steps to ensure the safety and security of its women, and one of the most commendable initiatives in this direction is the establishment of One Stop Crisis Centres (OSCC). These centres, also known as Sakhi Centres, are designed to provide a comprehensive range of services to women affected by violence. Whether it is physical, sexual, emotional, or psychological violence, OSCCs are a crucial part of the nation’s response to gender-based violence.

Watch Video

What is a One Stop Crisis Centre?

A One Stop Crisis Centre is a government-backed facility that offers integrated services under one roof for women and girls facing violence. The aim is to ensure that victims do not have to run from pillar to post in search of help. Instead, they can receive all necessary support in a single, safe location. This initiative is part of the Ministry of Women and Child Development’s efforts to address the pervasive issue of violence against women in India.

Gender Based Violence (GBV) is a global health, human rights and development issue that transcends geography, class, culture, age, race and religion to affect every community and country in every corner of the world. The Article 1 of UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence 1993 provides a definition of gender – based abuse, calling it “any act of gender – based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life”.

In India, gender based violence has many manifestations; from the more universally prevalent forms of domestic and sexual violence including rape, to harmful practices such as, dowry, honour killings, acid attacks, witch – hunting, sexual harassment, child sexual abuse, trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation, child marriage, sex selective abortion, sati etc.

Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), formulated a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for setting up One Stop Centre as a sub – scheme of Umbrella Scheme for National Mission for Empowerment of women including Indira Gandhi Mattritav Sahyaog Yojana. Popularly known as Sakhi, the scheme is being implemented since 1^st April 2015.

Since 2022-23, the scheme is subsumed into Sambal sub-scheme of Mission Shakti.

Target group

The OSC will support all women affected by violence, irrespective of caste, class, religion, region, sexual orientation or marital status.

Services offered in OSCs

The One Stop Centers shall be the main stay of the Ministry at District level for coordination and convergence with other initiatives under Nirbhaya Fund such as Women Helplines, Anti Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs), Women Help Desks (WHDs), and Special Fast Track Courts (FTSCs), District Legal Service Authority (DLSA) etc.

The Centres will be integrated with a Women Helpline to facilitate access to following services.

• Emergency Response and Rescue Services – OSC will provide rescue and referral services to the women affected by violence . For this, linkages will be developed with existing mechanisms such as National Health Mission (NHM ), 108 service, police (PCR Van) so that the woman affected by violence can either be rescued from the location and referred to the nearest medical facility (Public/ Private) or shelter home.
• Medical assistance – Women affected by violence would be referred to the nearest Hospital for medical aid/examination which would be undertaken as per the guidelines and protocols developed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• Assistance to women in lodging FIR /NCR/DIR
• Psycho – social support/ counselling – A skilled counsellor providing psycho – social counselling services would be available on call. This c ounselling process will give women confidence and support to address violence or to seek justice for the violence perpetuated. Counsellors shall follow a prescribed code of ethics, guidelines and protocols in providing counselling services.
• Legal aid and counselling – To facilitate access to justice for women affected by violence, legal aid and counselling would be provided at OSC through empanelled Lawyers or National/ State/District Legal Service Authority. The aggrieved woman would be provided with an advocate of her choice in case she wants to engage the same to assist the State Prosecutors in trying her case. It would be the responsibility of the Lawyer /Prosecutor to simplify legal procedures for the aggrieved woman and advocate for her exemption from court hearings. In case the trial or inquiry relates to an offence of rape as defined under section 376, 376A – D IPC, it would be the duty of the Prosecutors trying the case to complete the inquiry or trial as far as possible within a period of two months from the date of filing of charge sheet.
• Shelter – The OSC will provide temporary shelter facility to aggrieved women. For long term shelter requirements, arrangements will be made with Swadhar Greh/Short Stay Homes (managed/affiliated with government/NGO). Women affected by violence along with their children (girls of all ages and boys upto 12 years of age) can avail temporary shelter at the OSC for a maximum period of 5 days. The admissibility of any woman to the temporary shelter would be at the discretion of Centre Administrator.
• Video Conferencing Facility – To facilitate speedy and hassle free police and court proceedings the OSC will provide video conferencing facility (through Skype, Google Conferencing etc.). Through this facility if the aggrieved woman wants, she can record her statement for police/ courts from OSC itself using audio – video electronic means as prescribed under sections 161(3), 164(1) and 275(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure and section 231(1) in line with Order XVIII Rule 4 of the Code of Civil Procedure. This facility will be provided only after consultation among Superintendent of Police, District and Sessions Judge of the concerned district (place of incident)

Accessing One Stop Centre

A woman affected by violence can access OSC in the following manner:

• By herself; or
• Through any person including any public spirited citizen, public servant (as defin ed under section 21 of Indian Penal Code, 1860), relative, friend, NGO, volunteer etc. , or
• Through Women Helpline integrated with police, ambulance and other emergency response helplines.

As soon as the complaint is registered a text message ( SMS /Internet ) would be sent to the DPO/PO/ CDPO/ SHO/ DM/ SP/ DYSP /CMO /PO of the district/area as required. When an aggrieved woman approaches the OSC for help either in person or if anybody approaches on her behalf, the case details will be fed in to a system as per the prescribed format and a Unique ID Number will be generated.

Key Services Offered by OSCCs

1. Medical Assistance: OSCCs are equipped to provide immediate medical attention to victims of violence. This includes first aid, trauma care, and access to hospital services if necessary. Medical professionals at these centres are trained to handle cases sensitively and with the utmost care.
2. Counseling Services: Psychological and emotional support is crucial for victims of violence. OSCCs offer counseling services to help women cope with the trauma they have experienced. This support is often the first step towards their emotional recovery.
3. Legal Aid: Navigating the legal system can be daunting for anyone, especially for victims of violence. OSCCs provide legal assistance, helping women understand their rights and the legal recourse available to them. Lawyers and legal counselors at these centres guide victims through the process of filing complaints and seeking justice.
4. Police Assistance: OSCCs have a tie-up with local law enforcement to ensure prompt police assistance when required. This can include filing FIRs (First Information Reports), obtaining protection orders, and ensuring the safety of the victim.
5. Temporary Shelter: For women who need a safe place to stay, OSCCs provide temporary shelter. This is especially important for those who are not safe in their homes due to domestic violence or other threats.
6. Rehabilitation Services: Beyond immediate crisis intervention, OSCCs also focus on the long-term rehabilitation of victims. This includes vocational training, financial assistance, and support in reintegrating into society.

The Impact of OSCCs

Since their inception, One Stop Crisis Centres have become a lifeline for countless women across India. These centres have not only provided immediate relief to victims but have also played a significant role in empowering women to take control of their lives. The holistic approach of OSCCs ensures that women receive the care and support they need to recover and rebuild their lives after experiencing violence.

Challenges and the Way Forward

Despite the success of OSCCs, there are challenges that need to be addressed. Awareness about these centres is still limited, particularly in rural areas. Many women are unaware of the services available to them, and cultural stigmas around reporting violence continue to be a barrier.

To overcome these challenges, it is essential to increase public awareness through campaigns and community outreach programs. Additionally, ensuring that all OSCCs are fully equipped and staffed is crucial to maintaining the quality of services they provide.

Conclusion

The One Stop Crisis Centre is a vital initiative in India’s fight against violence towards women. By providing integrated services under one roof, OSCCs have made it easier for victims to seek help and have played a crucial role in their recovery and empowerment. However, there is still much work to be done to ensure that every woman in India has access to these life-saving services. Through continued efforts, we can hope to create a safer and more supportive environment for all women.