Hyderabad police launches one-stop support centre for women and children
Police has launched Bharosa', a one-stop support centre to provide protection for women and children on International Women's Day.
Hyderabad: The Hyderabad police has launched ‘Bharosa’, a one-stop support centre to provide protection for women and children on International Women’s Day.
Police commissioner M. Mahender Reddy said Bharosa would provide legal, medical aid, counselling and rehabilitation to women victims and their children. He said financial assistance will be provided with the help of funding from the Centre and state and partnering corporate institutions. He also launched the website www.bharosahydpolice.org.
Police decided to set up a specialised center to address women’s issues keeping in view the increase in the number of complaints. Since the police finds it difficult to provide immediate redressal, the victims are directed to different agencies for assistance, which is a lengthy process.
“At present, a victim of sexual violence has to go to a police station to lodge a complaint which takes around 6-10 hours and sometimes the victim may directly go to the hospital first and then to the police station. There is no immediate assistance for victims,” the commissioner said.
“Bharosa will answer all such issues by providing all services under one roof. It will help right from taking the complaint and providing medical assistance, legal aid, psychological counselling and assisting in trial and recording statement before the magistrate through video conferencing.”
Bharosa will function from HACA Bhavan and will be headed by an ACP. It will have 36 full time staffers. Bharosa will address all cases that fall under Sec 375, 376, 376 C, 376D and Sec 3, 5, 7, 9 of POCSO Act and NRI issues. Any person can contact Bharosa by dialling 100 or the Childline no: 1098 or through www.bharosahydpolice.org
Hyderabad SHE teams head Swati Lakra said this center will work on a holistic convergence approach. "This is the first facility of this kind in India. Any victim stepping in will get total support. Though the case will be investigated by the concerned police station it will be monitored by Bharosa," she said.
Any person can reach Bharosa by dialling 100 or the Childline no 1098 or through www.bharosahydpolice.org