PANJIM: The Arz (Anyay Rahit Zindagi) has appealed to the Goa State Legal Services Authority to appoint a “Full-time protection officer” and the “One-stop crisis centre” in every taluka to provide services and relief to the victims of domestic violence in the State.
The ARZ, NGO working in Goa since 1998 to protect children and women from violence, has felt that domestic violence is very common in Goa and a large number of victims of domestic violence in the State do not receive proper services, as a result the victim and her family suffers socially-psychologically- financially and legally. The impact of the victim is not limited only to the victim of the domestic violence, but impacts the second generation, and makes them vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.
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During the workshop titled “Domestic Violence: Impact and Legal Provisions”, situation of domestic violence and services for the victims of domestic violence in Goa was discussed. The victims of domestic violence, resource persons and participants during the workshop passed two resolutions – one for appointment of full-time “Protection Officer” under “The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act” along with necessary infrastructure and human resource in every taluka and to set up One-Stop Crisis Centre (OSCC) or One Stop Centre (OSC) or Sakhi Centre at taluka level and the social-legal-medical-psychological services to be provided by the government instead of NGO.
Presently, Block Development Officer (BDO) under “The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act” are holding the charge of “Protection Officer” in each Taluka. Due to the nature of their role and responsibilities as BDO, the Protection Officers are unable to provide time to the victims of domestic violence to handle their cases as a result the victims of domestic violence are suffering in the State.
The Arz has appealed to the Member Secretary of Goa State Legal Services Authority and the Chairperson of Goa State Women’s Commission, and the Director of Women and Child Development, for the implementation of the resolutions and to ensure quality services to the victims of domestic violence, in the State.
