New Delhi, 05 October (H.S.): Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday inspected the Sakhi One Stop Centre located at Lok Nayak Hospital in Delhi’s Old Delhi district. She conducted a detailed review of the facilities available at the centre, the services being provided to women and girls affected by violence, and the entire mechanism for addressing their complaints. The Chief Minister sought detailed information from officials and the centre’s team on procedures followed in various cases, counselling, police assistance, legal support, medical facilities, temporary shelter and action taken in individual cases.

The Chief Minister directed that providing timely, sensitive and dignified assistance to every woman and girl affected by violence must remain the highest priority. She said that for a woman who leaves her home in a crisis and reaches the centre seeking help, taking that step is itself a significant decision. Therefore, once she reaches the centre, she should be provided with a safe and reassuring environment, her concerns should be heard patiently, and immediate assistance should be extended according to her needs.

The primary objective of the Sakhi One Stop Centre is to provide comprehensive assistance to women in distress under one roof. Women and girls affected by violence are provided immediate protection, emergency medical examination, psychological and social counselling, free legal consultation and complete assistance in filing an FIR. In crisis situations, women in need are also provided short-term safe accommodation, food, clothing and other essential items under the same roof.

Under the Sakhi One Stop Centre system, women and girls are connected to assistance through the toll-free Women Helpline 181. Depending on the circumstances, services such as emergency rescue and protection, medical assistance, police support, counselling, legal aid and temporary shelter are provided through an integrated mechanism.

During her inspection, the Chief Minister also reviewed the records of cases received at the centre and the system for their follow-up. She directed that, henceforth, detailed monthly reports from all Sakhi One Stop Centres in Delhi be submitted to the Chief Minister’s Office. She said that merely recording the number of cases would not be sufficient. The reports must clearly specify whether the police were informed, the status of the FIR, action taken against the accused and the actual assistance provided to the victim in each case.

Reviewing Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) cases involving girls, the Chief Minister directed that records of such highly sensitive cases be maintained separately with complete confidentiality. She also took stock of the counselling process at the centre. After understanding the counselling procedure, she said that every case has its own circumstances and that assistance must therefore be provided according to the specific needs of each victim.

The Chief Minister also sought information about the temporary accommodation arrangements, food, clothing and other essential supplies available for women and girls staying at the centre. She directed officials to ensure that women requiring an immediate safe place receive all necessary facilities at the centre. In cases where longer-term accommodation is required, she instructed the authorities to coordinate with the concerned shelter home and make appropriate arrangements.

The Chief Minister directed officials to ensure that the success of the government’s support system is assessed not merely on the basis of the number of cases registered, but also by the actual assistance provided to victims and the subsequent action taken in each case. She instructed the authorities to ensure regular follow-up of cases received through the Sakhi One Stop Centres, effective coordination with the concerned departments and police, and proper documentation of any delays in police action. She further directed that such delays be brought to the notice of senior officials whenever necessary.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar