Special Cell Set Up In Chennai For Women Victims Of Violence

On Friday, Chennai police commissioner, A.K. Viswanathan, inaugurated a Special Cell on the campus of the All Women Police Station at Thousand Lights. The initiative was taken in order to address grievances of women disturbed by violent criminal activities.

The cell is specially designed to provide immediate services such as helping women affected by domestic violence register complaints and secure jobs. It would also provide medical as well as legal aid to the victims

Taking about the special cell, Viswanathan said, “It is a special centre for women who are in distress. It would redress grievances arising out of domestic violence, marital dispute as well as civil disputes. Specially trained counsellors at the police station would hear their grievances.”

Shoba Khanna, social worker at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) and now working in Chennai, expressed, “We will give them access to the criminal justice system and explain to them the processes. We will also provide psycho-social–legal services to women and child survivors of violence and facilitate their access to the criminal justice system.”

She added that the police were not equipped with the necessary skills required to offer support to victims of trauma and abuse. The social workers will also impart training to police personnel.

The special cell for women ahad been established with the support of National Commission for Women, asserted K. Manivasan, principal secretary, Social Welfare and Nutritious Meal Programme. Such special cells have also been established in Sooramangalam AWPS in Salem, Thallakulam AWPS in Madurai and Pallayamkottai AWPS in Tirunelveli. Aggrieved women  can dial 9498336002 for help.

The first Special Cell for Women and Children was established in 1984 as a strategic collaboration between Mumbai Police and the Tata Institute of Social Sciences. It is an effort aimed at eliminating violence against women

Read Also: Chennai Metro To Have All-Women Run Station At Shenoy Nagar 

Megha Thadani is an Intern with Shethepeople.tv