PANCHKULA: The administration has now started the 181 helpline for women in need. Calling on the number will directly connect them to the One Stop Centre (OSC) for women. A woman can approach a One Stop Centre for any issue she may be facing and she will be helped free of cost. Legal advice, doctor, stay and food facility will also be provided to the needy.
Deputy commissioner (DC) Mahavir Kaushik said the OSC was set up to support women affected by violence, in private or public spaces, within the family, community and at the workplace. Also, women facing physical, sexual, emotional, psychological and economic abuse, irrespective of age, class, caste, education status, marital status, race and culture are facilitated with support and redressal.
The scheme is aimed at facilitating immediate, emergency and non-emergency access to a range of services, including medical, legal, psychological and counselling support under one roof. The OSC has integrated 181 women helpline numbers. Victims can also call on the landline number, 0172-2586600.
The OSC for women was started in 2019 on the directions of the ministry of social welfare, women and child development department. Its main aim is to assist women in need. If any woman lodges a complaint at the centre, the OSC starts the process and investigation immediately.
Officials said that since the opening of the OSC in March 2019, 250 complaints have been received so far. Of these, maximum complaints were related to domestic violence. Most of the domestic violence cases were reported during the lockdown period, said officials.
