Bringing Justice to Women Survivors of Domestic Violence
A.Sivanarayana, Addl.DGP (CID), AP, inaugurating support centre. Photo Credit: Sam/Oxfam India
Occasion- Inaugration of the Support Centre for Women Survivors of Violence.
Venue- Hyderabad
Andhra Pradesh Police Department and civil society organizations like Oxfam India, Bhumika Women’s Resource Centre and Anantapur Paryavaran Parirakshana Samiti (APPS) have been working in Andhra Pradesh to bring succor to survivors of domestic violence. The civil societies reached another milestone when Mr. A. Sivanarayana IPS, Addl.DGP (CID) inaugurated the fifth support centre in the premises of the Women Protection Cell of Andhra Pradesh Police Department, in Lakdi ka Pool area, on 23rd June 2010. While commending the efforts of Oxfam India and its partner NGOs, Mr. Sivanaryana also felt that the support center will serve as a conduit and bring justice to women survivors of violence.
“Violence against women exists as a ground reality and the women facing domestic violence of marital conflict need privacy and positive environment to come out of their problems.” Said Mr. Shaik Anwar, Regional Manager, Oxfam India. He also added that “Through support centre for women, Oxfam India would like to strategically address the needs of the survivors of violence. Oxfam India’s initiative has successfully handled 1806 cases through four centres already established in women police stations in Basheerbagh, Anantapur, Warangal and Karimnagar.”
The Support Centres are aimed at linking the survivors and complainants of violence with various support services like medical, legal, judicial and shelter services along with direct counseling services. The strategic location of the Support Centre within the Police system helps to create emotional, physical, mental and legal space for the violated women within the criminal justice system.
The partners of Oxfam India in Andhra Pradesh in implementing the DFID-IPAP program are Bhumika Women’s Resource Centre anchoring the state level advocacy with the various Government Departments, Society for Women Awareness and Rural Development (SWARD), Anantapur Paryavaran Parirakshana Samiti (APPS), Sarvodaya Youth Organization (SYO) and Krushi for running support centres in Hyderabad, Anantapur, Warangal and Karimnagar and SVAS and Shaheen for community awareness generation programs in Rajamundry and old Hyderabad city areas.
Story credit: Sam Sudheer Bandi