Dakshina Kannada’s Sakhi-One Stop Centre that has provided assistance under one roof to women affected by violence at the Government Lady Goschen Hospital since January 26, 2019, will now have more facilities as it is upgrading.
The One Stop Centre has been set up by the women and child development department and the Lady Goschen Hospital has decided to strengthen it by providing more infrastructure. The centre deals with an average of 20 cases a month, out of which violence on children is more compared to domestic violence. The model One Stop Centre is expected to start functioning from the Maternity and Child Health (MCH) building of the hospital. The building’s civil work is almost complete.
Priya KC, the centre administrator, mentioned: “According to government guidelines, we have a counsellor, two social workers, two legal advisors and one helper. The post of the security guard will be filled next month. The premises are being set up at the cost of Rs 48 lakh and we will have separate rooms for counselling, consultation, office room, living room and a kitchen. A five-bed facility will also act as a temporary shelter for women who need to stay for not more than 15 days. These days, awareness among people is improving and we do receive calls from parents seeking help for their daughters.”
Dr Durgaprasad MR, the medical superintendent of the Government Lady Goschen Hospital, said: “Among the various facilities planned, we are making provisions for a video conference room to help survivors attend court proceedings virtually, a health education room with a seating capacity for 30 people, a VIP Lounge, a swab collection room and rooms for specialists visiting the centre. All the development work is being undertaken through the suggestions of the coordination committee that has officials from the district administration, health department, women and child development department, police and KMC doctors.”
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