Sakhi Centers in districts to assist domestic violence-affected women

The domestic violencs-affected women has been provided medical, legal and psychological support in Punjab through unique initiative called ‘Sakhi’ Centres. Punjab government has established ‘One Stop Sakhi Centre (OSC) in all the Districts of the State with the purpose of providing all kinds of assistance to domestic violence affected women under one roof. With unique initiative of the Department of Social Security, Women and Child Development, Punjab, 22 Sakhi Centres have been successfully opened across the state, in which dedicated staff have been deployed and they are providing required assistance to violenceaffected. Under this unique initiative violence-affected women are being provided all facilities such as medical, legal support as well as psychological support under one roof. These centers are being run by the department to provide these facilities. These centres have been connected to Help Line Number 181 and other existing Help lines, so that affected women can access 'Sakhi Centres'. These centres provide all kinds of emergency medical care to women affected by violence and Legal assistance are provided. In addition, Counselling service is also being arranged for their accommodation. The Department of Social Security, Women and Child Development is committed to provide security and care to the women and many awareness programmes are being run. Sakhi Centre is one of these Awareness Programmes, under which the women can get assistance at any time. Each of these centers has a staff of 14 professionals, including two Psychologists and Social Counsellors, two case workers, two Para-Medical workers, a Legal Counsellor, Data Analyst, Finance and Administrative Assistant, two Multi-purpose Helpers and two Security Guards in addition to a Central Administrator. Any woman in trouble can call at the Help Line Number 181, after that she will be picked up by a van to a Sakhi Centre and accommodation will be provided on requirement. These Centres will provide all essential items. For this purpose, the Helpline Numbers have also been set up on District level, where Medical, Legal or other facilities, available at Sakhi Centres, can be got on a phone-call.