Mid-Day: KEM Hospital One Stop Centre resumes 24x7 shelter and support services

Representation pic

A day after concerns raised by women's rights groups, citizens and mid-day over the temporary disruption of emergency shelter services at the One Stop Centre (OSC) at KEM Hospital, the facility has resumed full operations. The emergency shelter has reopened, staffing has been restored to sanctioned strength and authorities say survivors will continue to receive shelter, counselling, legal aid and protection services round the clock.

The development follows mid-day's August 5 report, "Survivor fleeing abuse denied shelter as KEM One Stop Centre lay shut", which highlighted how a 19-year-old survivor fleeing abuse spent nearly five hours searching for a safe shelter after being turned away from the KEM OSC.

What has changed?

>> Emergency shelter reopened
>> Full sanctioned staff strength restored
>> Counsellors on duty
>> Centre in-charge appointed
>> Legal advisers available
>> Protection officers available
>> Shelter, counselling and legal aid services restored

What the department says

District Women and Child Development Officer
Shobha Shelar clarified that KEM Hospital's One Stop Centre itself was never officially closed.

According to Shelar:
>> The centre continued functioning throughout.
>> The disruption was caused by an acute staff shortage.
>> Only three of the sanctioned 13 staff members were available.
>> Of those three, one was on weekly off, one was unwell and the remaining staff member had been called to a hospital ward.

Following review meetings, additional staff were deployed from other centres, restoring the full sanctioned strength.

Another DWCD official said the Jogeshwari One Stop Centre remained operational throughout and the 24x7 helpline continued functioning.

Free legal aid now available

The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Mumbai has strengthened support at the centre by deploying:
>> Two women advocates for free legal counselling
>> Para-legal volunteers
>> Assistance for applications under the Manodhairya Scheme
>> Guidance on accessing legal aid and OSC services

Developments

>> Emergency shelter reopened
>> Full 13-member staff restored
>> Counselling services continue
>> Legal aid strengthened through DLSA
>> Protection officers available
>> 24x7 helpline remained operational
>> Jogeshwari OSC continues to function as an alternate facility

Who Majlis thanked

For helping restore the facility, the organisation acknowledged the role played by:
>> The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation
>> Department of Women and Child Development
>> Maharashtra State Commission for Women
>> One Stop Centre officials
>> Rajya Sabha MP Milind Deora
>> NCP-SP leader Anish Gawande

What Majlis says

Adv Audrey D'Mello Director, Majlis Legal Centre
‘We are relieved that the KEM One Stop Centre shelter has reopened so quickly. We thank all concerned who acted promptly to restore this vital service. One Stop Centres are the government's flagship response for women facing violence, and emergency shelter is at the heart of that response. In a city like Mumbai, no survivor should ever be turned away because a shelter is unavailable. We hope this also leads to stronger systems of communication and accountability so that any future disruption in essential services is immediately addressed and alternative arrangements are put in place'