Hyderabad: The Women and Child Welfare Department gets at least 50 calls per day at their call-centre as per the records, from women in distress across the state.
The women who have suicidal tendencies and those who are mentally disturbed, contact the helpline. “The department has always considered the safety and protection of women to be the top priority of the government,” said an official of the department, reports Telangana Today.
Whether there are issues of sexual harassment, trafficking, stalking, domestic violence or dowry harassment, the helpline is there to help, he said. The technical support to the programme, is extended by GVK-EMRI and works throughout the year.
Viziendira Boyi, Director, Women and Child Welfare Department said:“The helpline will function 24/7 and provide service to women affected by violence, women seeking emotional support and also provide information about women welfare schemes introduced by the State and Central government.”
Explaining their operations, officials of GVK-EMRI said, once they receive a call, the information is collected and is immediately sent to the closest police station. Later, the police arrive at the scene and take the women to the closest Sakhi Centres, Bharosa Centre or Medical Care Units, depending on the situation.
“The women would then be counselled from special officers who would present at the site. Presently, the track record has been very fast. Our officers have responded to these calls in less than few seconds. Once the victim is counselled, we ask her if she would feel safe at the place of harassment. If she is still jittery then we take her to a Swadhar Home or short-stay home for rehabilitation,” said Sharada, a project officer with the department.