Spl ward for victims of sexual assault, domestic violence

The unit at Lady Goschen hospital will provide medical, legal and psychological counselling to victims under one roof

If everything goes well as per the plan, then the Lady Goschen hospital in Mangalore will get a women special treatment unit for the victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, from November 1. 

The unit will provide medical, legal and psychological counselling to victims under one roof.

Following the Delhi rape incident, the Central government had issued directions to all States to set up a separate cell in district hospitals for such victims, wherein they should be provided treatment, counselling and other assistance with a privacy. 

In fact, the State government in its 2014-15 budget had announced a unit for the victims of domestic and sexual assault under one roof. 

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Women and Child Welfare department Deputy Director Gatrude Veigas said that victims of sexual assault would get all kind of help right from medical and psychological counselling in the one stop centre. “We are planning to get it inaugurated on Kannada Rajyotsava.” 

“As per the direction of the State government, women and child welfare department has initiated the process to set up the unit. All those who are the victims of the sexual and domestic violence can directly approach the centre for help,” she said. 

The ward will have two doctors, nurses, three social workers, a counsellor and two lawyers deputed by District Legal Services Authority to provide legal help to the victims. The social workers and counsellors will be appointed by the women and child welfare department under contract basis. The doctors and the paramedical staff will be deployed by the hospital. 

“The ward will function 24X7 and police officers will visit the ward to record the statement of the victim. Medical examination of victims would be conducted in the special ward itself. There are no guidelines on how many beds should be reserved. However, the entire unit will be reserved for the victims of sexual assault. All those who seek help at the centre will be provided with the help,” she said. 

Along with treating the victims, the unit will help them to file FIR. It will provide a sense of security to them. 

The State government will release Rs 1.20 lakh per month to the district centres. After the setting up of the centre, the district will receive aid from the government. 

Lady Goschen has given its space for the setting up of the centre. “We are implementing the State government’s programme at the earliest, to ensure that every victim gets help from the centre.”