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International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women: NGOs supporting Domestic Violence Victims in Mumbai

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Domestic Violence
 
According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), women are victim to 51 crimes ever hour in India. Majority of these crimes are attributed to the cruelty by husband and his relatives, as per the report.
Violence against women remains one of the most prevalent and pervasive human rights violations in the world. With an aim to shed light on this issue, and work towards addressing this, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women was established by the United Nations. The day is observed each year on November 25, and marks the first day of the 16 days of activism for combatting violence against women.
On this day, let us look at the organisations in Mumbai offering support to female victims that have suffered from domestic violence.

SNEHA Mumbai

SNEHA helps women and girls facing domestic violence, sexual violence and sexual harassment, and children facing sexual abuse. The organisation provides emotional support, shelter and assistance in connecting with the doctors or police as an immediate relief to the victims. For long-term, it offers counselling services, legal aid, and psychiatric as well as psychotherapy services.
Anyone who require help can reach out to the organisation at Crisis Helpline Numbers – 98330 52684 / 91675 35765 or visit the Crisis Centre located at 310, 3rd Floor, Urban Health Center, 60 Feet Road, Dharavi, Mumbai 400 017.

Urja Trust Foundation

The Urja Trust was founded in 2012 by Deepali Vandana and Altaf Shaikh, Mumbai-based social workers. It is a non-government organisation that provides shelter to women who are homeless or have run away due to domestic violence. These women, who are victims of trafficking, prostitution and economic discrimination, are housed in a shelter home initially and then shifted to group homes once they start becoming financially independent. At the Foundation’s non-formal education course, the women are taught the basics of Math and English, after which they try and take the National Institute of Open Learning exams. They are also later enrolled in mainstream schools, according to their learning levels.
To seek help from the organisation, one can contact the following number: 022 2412 4397

Majlis Law

Majlis Law is an all-female team of attorneys and activists that offers legal and social help to victims (women and children) of domestic and sexual violence from underprivileged social groups. The team assists victims during investigation and trial and provides social support from counseling to shelter. Its achievements include providing legal support to more than 80,000 victims, providing social support to more than 100,000 victims, conducting more than 150,000 training sessions and reaching more than 1,500 collaborations.
One can contact the organisation for help at its helpline 07506732641 or mail them at [email protected]

Apnalaya

Apnalaya works with the most underprivileged communities dwelling in the slums of Mumbai. In operation since 1973, its Family Counseling Centre (FCC) is a haven for victims of exploitation, violence, infidelity, deprivation and blackmail. Here, they find a friend who listens, offers advice and helps them find the strength to fight and win their personal and legal battles.
Its various programmes support victims of domestic violence and family conflict through counselling, support group meetings, creating community counsellors and raising awareness on women’s issues. Apnalaya is a government-appointed service provider under the Domestic Violence Act 2005.
One can contact Apnalaya by calling their mobile number at +91 98330 41074 or their landline at +91-22-23539752. You can also email them at [email protected].

How can the victims seek help from the government?

According to Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, a domestic violence victim can directly file an FIR (First Information Report) at the nearest police station. The police are required to respond to every domestic violence complaint, whether the complainant is a survivor or not. The complaint should be written down by them or the survivor, and the complainant should keep a copy of the recorded complaint.
If the incident in question does not fall under the area (jurisdiction) of a police station the survivor has visited, then a zero-FIR can be registered. An FIR can be filed in any police station, and later, it can be transferred to the appropriate police station.
Under the law, a domestic violence survivor is entitled to the following support:
1. Monetary relief: The survivor is entitled to maintenance and medical expenses. Respondents can be directed to meet the expenses incurred and losses suffered. A PO can assist a survivor with obtaining necessary measures. Under Section 20 of the Domestic Violence Act, an order for monetary relief can be passed by the court. The compensation should be fair and consistent with the standard of living to which the survivor is accustomed.
2. Compensation order: The aggrieved person can be compensated for the injuries sustained including emotional distress and physical injuries.
3. Protection: After the survivor files a complaint or approaches the police, a magistrate can pass orders to stop the offender from committing violence towards the survivor or interacting with them.
4. Residence: Every woman has the right to reside in the shared household without the fear of being evicted. The respondent can be restrained from entering the area or room allotted to the survivor and/or from having any type of communication.

List of helpline numbers in Mumbai

– Dial 100 (emergency police number)
– Dial 103 (Nirbhaya Squad helpline)
– Dial 1091(emergency helpline number for women)

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