05 Aug 2021  |   06:19am IST

One stop centre to support women for justice

There are more than 1,000 victims— women and girls— who have fought and are fighting for justice against the violence they faced and ‘Sakhi’ in Margao has turned to be ray of hope for their new life, since 2019

MARCOS GONSALVES

MARGAO: "I was mentally distressed and on the verge to make suicide, however, timely emotional and psychological support made me stronger. Now, I have gathered much strength to seek justice", these are the words of Chaya Naik (name changed), who is the rape victim in South Goa.

There are more than 1,000 victims—women and girls—who have fought and are fighting for justice against the violence they faced and 'Sakhi'- One Stop Centre in Margao has turned to be ray of hope for their new life, since 2019.

The One Stop Centre (OSC) is a new dawn for the women affected by violence and abuse, physical, sexual, emotional, psychological and economic. Since its inception in October 2019, the centre has assisted nearly 571 victims to fight the legal battle against violence; besides OSC has assisted nearly 1000 victims in one way or the other. However, it has also been revealed that most of the violence cases reported with the centre are from the marginalised sectors.

Especially, dedicated staff under Administrator Auda Viegas, including a full-time counsellor, is assisting the victims' women and girls to seek justice at OSC. 

It may be recalled that the aftermath of the Nirbhaya case resulted in the mandatory setting up of OSC in every district of the country by the Ministry of Women and Child, Government of India, upon the recommendation of the Justice Verma Committee.

The psychological and mental support from the 'Sakhi' that is One Stop Centre has handled nearly 517 cases since November 2019, which includes domestic violence, rape, property dispute, serial harassment, missing, kidnapping. Besides, the shelter has been provided to nearly 58 women and children, informed Auda Viegas.

This centre is the initiative of the Ministry for Women and Child Development and runs under the same, with the monitoring by Goa Women and Child Development, besides District Collector South. 

Speaking to Herald Viegas said that OSC has become rays of hope for the hundreds of victims’ women and girls to fight for justice.

"There is an increase in the violence against women and one of the reasons is the Covid pandemic. The number of cases before the pandemic was fewer in numbers. However, there was the sudden rise in the violence cases against the women in recent days", claimed Auda. 

She said that this centre has helped in many ways to stand up for the rights of women. 

"We help them with legal aid, besides we prepare them mentally so that they are able to fight for justice. We tell them about how to be cautious and careful while giving statements in the Court, especially during the cross-examination”, the Administrator stated. 

Preparing them mentally before the complaint is filed. Make them aware of the stages of law, she informed. 

Auda said that they make the victim aware and strong about what they have to go through, which helps them to relieve their pain and trauma. "Trauma should be made stable and we work hard towards this aspect", she further stated.

Under the OSC, several victims have been rescued, including girls from Karnataka, besides Nepal and helped those to reach back home safely. 

"We have witnessed the trauma of the victims over here and we understand the situations they are passing through. However, this centre has definitely given new ray of hope to go back and live the life with dignity," said Velancy Fernandes, IT staff of the OSC at Margao.

Iona George, another staff, said that we all are working as one team and they have to face lots of tough cases, “But we try our best to explain to the victims what life is. Our efforts are to reach out to the deserved ones with guidance.

"Besides, we are doing all the necessary programmes especially to make aware of the help provided by the centre," she informed. According to her, better infrastructure will help the centre for better service. 

While according to Counsellor Merlyn Almeida, as a team, they face lots of difficulties when it comes to victims but we never step back. 

"Our main priority is to give justice to the victims and make them mentally and psychologically strong. All the help is being provided to the victims, including counselling," she stated.