Victims of domestic violence in Kerala can now turn to a friend in need. The Kudumbasree Mission is reaching out to women and child abuse victims across the State with gender help desks being set up in all districts for assistance.
Named Snehita (friend), the 24-hour help desk facility is currently available in six districts. Efforts are on to roll out the facility in eight more districts. The gender help desk is equipped to provide a range of services to women facing harassment in various forms. These include emotional support, legal aid and counselling as well as temporary asylum.
Victims can avail themselves of family counselling and telephonic counselling. Snehita also offers awareness activities against sexual abuse. Kudumbasree has joined hands with the Child Welfare Council, Police and Social Justice department to improve the services.
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An official press note issued here said 8,501 women had availed themselves of the services of Snehita since the facility was launched in 2013. Of these, 5,130 persons had sought telephonic assistance and 1,906 availed themselves of the short shelter home facility. The Snehita units in Thiruvananthapuram, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, and Malappuram have been equipped with toll-free lines.
Snehita help desks would soon start functioning in Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Kozhikode, Kollam, Thrissur, Kannur, Alappuzha and Kasaragod districts.