No Sakhi for women victims of violence in Bihar

Patna: Bihar registered 1,041 rape cases in 2015, 386 rapes till May 2016 and 4,760 cases of kidnapping of women and girls in 2014, but the state is yet to get a one-stop centre - Sakhi - aimed at providing integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence under one roof.
The one-stop centre scheme is being implemented across the country since April 1, 2015.
Union minister for women and child development Maneka Gandhi told TOI initially one centre for each state was sanctioned in 2015. The first centre was inaugurated at Raipur in Chhattisgarh on July 16, 2015. So far, 14 such centres are operational across the country.
Outlining the future plan, she said, "A total of 150 Sakhi centres are proposed to be established in 2016-17 by utilizing the Nirbhaya Fund. We hope to cover every district with such centres in the second phase. The state women and child development ministry is the nodal agency to set up the centre in their respective state."
She added, "Many women are unaware that every woman is entitled to free legal aid under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987." Such small things will help the aggrieved women.
The centres will be integrated with 181 service and other existing helplines of each state government. Women in need of help could be referred to Sakhi through these helplines.
The victims will have access to a range of services, including medical, legal, psychological and counselling under one roof.
The cases under Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 will also be linked with the centres.
Sushma Sahu, member of National Women Commission, said, "We have prepared a plan and we hope to launch a Sakhi centre in Patna soon. Apart from the reported cases of violence against women, many cases go unreported to police. The one-stop centre will be helpful for the victims."