One Stop Centres and 24×7 Helplines Provide Lifeline to Women and Children in Distress

Sri Vijaya Puram, Apr. 24: Under the Mission Shakti Scheme of GoI, the UT Administration is implementing the One Stop Centre Scheme, which provides integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence during distress both in private and public spaces. The One Stop Centres are functioning under one roof to facilitate immediate, emergency, non-emergency services access to a range of services including Medical, Legal, Minimum 5 days Temporary Shelter, Police Assistance, Psychological and Counselling support to fight any forms of violence against women.
Presently, 03 One Stop Centres (OSCs) are functioning in Junglighat near AYUSH Hospital for South Andaman, at Zonal Library building at Mayabunder in North & Middle Andaman and at Perka Head Quarter in Nicobar. The distress women can reach OSC, South Andaman over phone 03192-234221. For OSC, North & Middle Andaman one can contact 03192-273009 and for OSC, Nicobar 03193-265141/ by self-visiting/through Anganwadi Workers/ relative, friends and public servant. Since the inception of One Stop Centres, various cases have been handled in these Centres.
Likewise, the Women and Child Control Room is functioning under the Directorate of Social Welfare at VIP Road in which dedicated helplines (Women Helpline-181 and Child Helpline-1098) functions as 24/7 hours emergency response center for women and children experiencing distress or violence.
The Women Helpline-181 and Child Helpline-1098 handles calls from Women and Children in danger, including those experiencing violence, in need of urgent help. The Helplines connect individuals with relevant resources like Police, One Stop Centres, Hospitals, District Legal Services Authority and other support services. Further, the Helplines provide information about available GoI schemes and program for women welfare and child protection.
Any women / children can dial these Helplines (Women Helpline-181 & Child Helpline-1098) to access the services during distress. In addition, women can approach concerned District One Stop Centre for redressal of their grievances and amicable settlement of minor issues within the family and other issues concerning women safety and security in urban, rural and tribal areas.