OSC Center: A Ray of Hope for the Destitute Women in Kulgam District

Kulgam OSC center solved 174 cases out of 221 cases received since 2023, provided psychological counselling to 137 cases, shelter to 20, and lodged 16 FIRs.

Sameer Ahmad
Anantnag:  With the goal of supporting aggrieved women facing any kind of violence due to attempted sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, trafficking, honour-related crimes, and acid attacks, the OSC center in Kulgam district has become a ray of hope for destitute women. Established in the year 2020, the office received only 10 cases over two years till February 2023. However, since 2023 to date, the center has received 221 cases. Among them, the center provided psychological counselling to 137 cases and shelter to 20 cases. The center has also provided medical aid to 6, assigned lawyers to 27, and lodged FIRs in 16 cases.

Talking to Arising State, central administrator Nahida Noor said, “We are working 24×7 in Kulgam district to support women victims of gender-based violence.” She said that over the last two years, they have received several calls, most of which were related to domestic violence.

“The OSC is provided with specialized services to facilitate immediate, emergency, and non-emergency access to a range of services including medical, legal, psychological, and counselling support under one roof to fight against any forms of violence against women,” she said.

A lady came to OSC on 22-05-2024. The lady complained of domestic violence by her in-laws and husband. At the time of registration of the case, the survivor was in need of shelter, so OSC provided her five days of shelter, which was later extended by the District Commissioner and DSW for two months. After that, OSC provided her legal assistance, where the court further extended the shelter for two more months, she said.

Another case of a destitute lady (name withheld) came to our office of OSC on 20/06/2024. The case was referred by 181 (Women Helpline Kulgam). The woman was complaining of cyberbullying against a person whom she knew through social media sites a few months earlier. When their relationship broke, the respondent started blackmailing the survivor. After registering the case, OSC provided cyber assistance through Cyber Cell Srinagar. The respondent was arrested by Cyber Police, she said.

Meanwhile, talking to Arising State, Muzafar Ahmad (DSWO) Kulgam hailed the efforts of the staff working at OSC in Kulgam. He said and pointed out that domestic violence against women often leaves them homeless. “After being subjected to violence by family members, women come up to lodge their complaints. In many cases, the family refuses to accept them back into their house after the complaint. The Kulgam OSC is providing such women shelter. Women will be allowed to stay at the home for six months to one year according to their situation,” he said.

He added that the OSC centre Kulgam has an administrator, case worker, I-T staff, and multi-purpose helper to take care of the centre, he said.