181 helpline to be launched for women

The helpline is an enhanced service of the existing 1091 helpline that operates only at the police level. It will offer medical services, legal aid, police assistance, psychosocial support and rescue shelter.

Talking to DT Next, a source from the Department of Social Welfare said that the helpline is an initiative under the Nirbhaya fund. 

The source added, “The women helpline (181), will link the women with appropriate authority such as police, One Stop Centre or hospital. Also, information about government schemes related to women and programs across the country will be disseminated through a single uniform number, 181. 

The helpline will also be integrated with the One Stop Centres situated in various districts, to offer integrated support and assistance to the women affected by violence. Those in need of redressal services will also be linked with the relevant support services.”

Trained social workers, are chosen as responders for the helpline service. “There will two helpline managers and eight staff to respond to the calls as part of the helpline team that is coordinated with the existing Amma Call Centre on their premises. They have been trained specifically for the programme by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences and by The International Foundation for Crime Prevention and Victim Care (PCVC),” added the source.