Know about OSC (One Stop Centre), a scheme for women across India.
A special scheme One Stop Crisis Centre (OSCC) or One Stop Centre (OSC) or Sakhi Centre was introduced under ‘Sakhi/Shakti’ by the Government of India in 2015. The elements of Mission Shakti have been planned so that they address the needs of women throughout their whole life cycle.
Women who have experienced any form of violence, including rape attempts, sexual assault, domestic violence, trafficking, crimes committed out of honour, acid assaults, or witchcraft, are welcome to make use of this scheme by seeking assistance from this centre.
About the Scheme
Mission Shakti has two sub-schemes – ‘Sambal’ and ‘Samarthya’. While the “Sambal” sub-scheme is for the safety and security of women, the “Samarthya” sub-scheme is for the empowerment of women.
The main objective of this scheme is to support women affected by violence, in private and public spaces, within the family, community and at the workplace.
No matter their age, class, caste, level of education, marital status, race, or culture, women experiencing physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, and economic abuse will receive help and remedy. Institutions and authorities formed under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act of 2012 and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act of 2000 will be linked with the One Stop Centre (OSC) for girls under the age of 18.
Funding
The Ministry of Women and Child Department will be responsible for the budgetary control and administration of the scheme at the Central level. Proposals from the states/UTs were invited and approved and the funds are transferred to the States/UTs.
The District/ State authorities are mandated for monitoring, coordinating and mid-course correction for effective implementation of the scheme.
Tamil Nadu has One Stop Centres in 34 districts. The OSC is being implemented in Tamil Nadu with 100% financial support from the central government.
One Stop Centre (OSC) Services
The One Stop Centre will facilitate access to the following services:
1. Emergency Response and Rescue Services
2. Medical assistance
3. Assistance to women in lodging FIR/ DIR
4. Psycho-social support/counseling
5. Legal aid and counseling
6. Shelter
7. Video Conferencing Facility
It is to be noted that the One Stop Centre (OSC) offers temporary housing to destitute women, especially those who have experienced violence, and their children (girls of all ages and boys up to 12 years of age) for a maximum of five days. The eligibility for admission to the transitional shelter would be at the Centre Administrator’s judgement. One Stop Centres will make arrangements for any long-term housing needs.
How to Contact?
A total of 733 One Stop Centres in India are listed on the website of the Ministry of Women and Child Development. The contact details including the address and contact numbers of all the docs across India are listed here. Apart from this, the contact details can be found on the website of the respective districts.
Multiple 24-hour toll-free telecom services are available to connect the women seeking support with Emergency Response Support System (ERSS).
Women Helpline – 181 and 112, in case of emergency
Child Helpline – 1098
Senior Citizen Helpline – 1253
Recently, Greater Chennai Police (GCP) posted a video on its X account to create awareness on ‘One Stop Centres’. The post asks the women who are in need to approach OSC at the respective district government hospitals.
பெண்கள் இரவில் வீட்டை விட்டு துரத்தப்பட்டாலோ அல்லது எங்கே போவது என்று தெரியாமல் பாதுகாப்பற்ற சூழலில் இருந்தாலோ, ஒவ்வொரு மாவட்ட அரசு மருத்துவமனையின் "One Stop Center" என்ற உதவி மையத்தை அணுகி பயன் பெறலாம்.
முழு விபரங்களை அறிய
கேளுங்கள் #women #womansafety @CMOTamilnadu pic.twitter.com/ZZUL5H0RWt— GREATER CHENNAI POLICE -GCP (@chennaipolice_) August 21, 2023
Assistance from 2015 to 2021
The State / UT-wise details of the number of women assisted are tabled below.
Though some One Stop Centres took time to become operational and had other difficulties in operating, the active OSCs have assisted more than 4.5 lakh women as of 30.09.2021. It is important to know about schemes like One Stop Centres and to share the same with our friends and family so that we can make use of the schemes provided when needed, especially, in case of emergency.
Links
https://www.tnsocialwelfare.tn.gov.in/en/state-resource-centre-for-women/one-stop-crisis-centre
https://cdn.s3waas.gov.in/s313f3cf8c531952d72e5847c4183e6910/uploads/2021/06/2021060491.pdf
https://wcd.nic.in/sites/default/files/733%20OSCs%20Directory%2021.03.2023%20%282%29.xlsx
https://wcd.nic.in/sites/default/files/OSC_G.pdf
https://wcd.nic.in/schemes/one-stop-centre-scheme-1
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1812223
