Mangaluru: With the aim to provide social security, legal help and medical treatment for women who are sexually assaulted, one stop crisis centre was inaugurated here in the city today at Lady Goschen Hospital on Saturday. The unit which functions under Department of Women and Child Welfare was inaugurated by district in-charge minister B. Ramanath Rai.

Gertrude Veigas, deputy director, Women and Child Welfare department said the victims of sexual assault would be provided with all kind of help in the one stop centre. The unit is intended to provide medical, legal and psychological counseling to victims under one roof.

She said, “The cases reported at the unit will be kept confidential. There will be a counselor, two legal advisors, three social workers, two doctors, four nurses and a lady police officer deputed by District Legal Services Authority.

Besides, the unit provides rehabilitation to the victims, which works hand in hand with Prajna Counselling Centre. She also said that the centre will be open 24 hours with referral services such as lists of hospital, police station, lawyers and counselors will be available at the centre.

In addition, women will also benefit significantly from peer support as well as support from stakeholders embedded within the local community, including NGOs, CBOs, and community and religious leaders. In addition to it, the centre will be integrated with women helpline 181, she said.

Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim, MLA Mohiudeen Bawa and Dr. Shakunthala, medical superintendent of Lady Goschen Hospital were present.