PANAJI
The One Stop Crisis Centre Scheme implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child, Govt of India will see 20 such centres set up around the country on a pilot trial basis. In Goa, the state government has identified 500 square meters of land in the hospital to facilitate access to an integrated range of services including medical, legal and psychological support. Announcing the development at a panel discussion held at The International Center Goa, Deputy Director of Directorate of Women and Child Development Fransquinha Oliveira said the area was narrowed down to Survey number 83 of the GMC but added that the Victims Assistance Unit (VAU) was in charge of catering to cases till the centre was set up. “The centre will be constructed in the GMC campus and until then it will function from the VAU and Advocate Emidio Pinho (who heads VAU) has been appointed to setup the center and helpline,” informed Oliveira. November and December 2015 registered a total of 34 and 33 cases respectively at the hospital. This year too, the numbers have fluctuated between 33 and 34. Most have been cases of rape, domestic violence, sexual and physical assault and harassment. But according to Women s Studies professor at Goa University Dr Shalia Desouza, the numbers may not be a real indication on the ground reality.
