Violence against women: Government finalises guidelines for one-stop centres

NEW DELHI: Government today finalised the guidelines for one-stop centres to be established across the country to provide integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence.

In the first phase of the One Stop Centre (OSC) Scheme, being implemented using the Nirbhaya Fund, one such centre will be established in each State and Union Territory to facilitate access of women affected by gender-based violence to an integrated range of services including medical, legal, and psychological counselling.

The OSC will be integrated with 181 and other existing helplines. For the implementation of the scheme, the Ministry of Women and Child Development has formulated guidelines for support agencies, as well as state, district and grassroot level functionaries.

The guidelines will serve as a reference manual for officials at the national, state and UTs levels for policy guidance and monitoring.

These centres will be established across the country to provide integrated support and assistance under one roof to women affected by violence, both in private and public spaces in a phased manner.

The guidelines also highlight roles and responsibilities of various line departments. It also provides monitoring and reporting formats to be used at different levels.