Introduction
- This Scheme of One Stop Centre for Women is implemented since 1st April 2015 with total project cost of Rs. 18.58 is funded under Nirbhaya fund.
- In the first phase , one OSC was to be established in all states/UT and was approved fro 36 locations out of which only 33 got sanctioned and only 15 became operational till 30th May,2016.
- The scheme has already been revised for setting up One Stop Centre in 150 additional locations in second phase, in addition to the already proposed 36 centres in first phase.
- The government has now proposed for establishing 660 centres.
One Stop Centres
- One Stop Centre’s (OSC) are centres established by the Government of India through the Ministry of Women and Child development (MWCD) to support women affected by violence of any sort.
- The main objectives of the scheme is to provide support and assistance to women affected by violence at private or at any public place, irrespective of caste, class, religion, region, sexual orientation or marital status.
- These centres will provide immediate access to a range of services including medical, legal, psychological and counselling support to the victims.
- The OSC will support all women including girls below 18 years of age affected by violence ,also for girls below 18 years of age, institutions and authorities established under Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 will be linked with the OSC.
- In addition to this, a single uniform number -181 will provide 24-hour emergency response to all women affected by violence, through referral (linking with appropriate authorities such as Police, OSC or hospital)
Type of Service
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
The OSC will facilitate the lodging of FIR/NCR/DIR
Psycho-social support/ counselling
A skilled counsellor providing psycho-social counselling services would be available on call. This counselling 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.
