One Stop Centre Scheme [UPSC Notes]

One-Stop Centre Scheme addresses Gender-Based Violence. It was implemented from 1st April 2015. The major aim of the scheme is to facilitate access to a wide range of services to women affected by violence. Learn more about the One Stop Centre Scheme, a centrally-sponsored initiative of Ministry of Women and Child Development, for the preparation of important segments like welfare schemes, social justice, etc in the IAS Exam.

Latest Update:

• The Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) has announced that they shall be working on the One-Stop Centre scheme in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs by setting up OSCs in ten countries.
• The first OSCs will be introduced in Australia, Canada, Singapore, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia

Aspirants can also get acquainted with the UPSC Syllabus for the upcoming civil services exam at the linked article.

There are multiple other important Government Schemes in India introduced for the development of the country. Candidates can refer to the same at the linked article.

Given below are a few other related links, important from the government examination perspective:

Sakhi – One Stop Centre (OSC) Scheme Notes:- Download PDF Here

Need of One Stop Centre Scheme

The OSC will support all women including girls below 18 years of age affected by violence, irrespective of caste, class, religion, region, sexual orientation or marital status. For girls below 18 years of age, institutions, and authorities established under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 will be linked with the OSC.

Read the gist of RSTV’s take on Violence Against Women in their program Big Picture, in the linked article.

For the purpose to address such violence and help women in distress, a centrally sponsored scheme by the government for setting up a One-Stop Centre has been formulated by Government.

One-Stop Centre scheme is a sub-scheme of the National Mission for Empowerment of Women which also includes the Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahayog Yojana. The scheme is funded by the Nirbhaya fund. Under this scheme, complete financial assistance will be provided by the Centre to the States and the Union territories.

The audit will be done as per Comptroller & Auditor General of India norms and a social audit will also be undertaken by civil society groups, regarding this scheme.

Read about Gender Inequality and Crimes Against Women from the links below:

• Gender Inequality
• RSTV: Tackling Crimes Against Women
• Women Empowerment

A Brief Background to the Evolution of One Stop Centre Scheme

1. Nirbhaya Fund was established for women’s safety. (Read in detail about Nirbhaya Fund in the linked article.)
2. One-Stop Crisis Centres were recommended to be established by the 12th Plan Working Group on Women’s Agency and Empowerment.
3. In 2013, Usha Mehra Commission submitted a report stating the need for a One-Stop Centre at a notified hospital to help a victim of sexual assault.
4. In 2015, the One-Stop Centre scheme was implemented.
5. One-Stop Centres have been established across the country in a phased manner:
   • Phase I – 1 One Stop Centre per state/UT
   • Phase II – 150 additional One Stop Centres in 2016-17
6. As of July 2019 data, 462 one-stop centers have been set up:
   • The highest number of one-stop center – Uttar Pradesh (75), followed by
   • Madhya Pradesh – 51
7. A fund of Rs.74 crores has also been announced by the government under the Nirbhaya fund for rape victims who are minors
8. Administration of the Scheme:
   • At the national level, Ministry of Women and Child Development would be responsible for budgetary regulation and administration
   • At the State level, the Department of Women and Child Development will be responsible for the overall direction and implementation of the scheme

One-Stop Centre Scheme Objectives

1. The intention of the One-Stop Scheme (OSC) is to support women affected by the violence that they may face within the family or at the workplace or within the community, in private or public places.
2. A support mechanism and redressal for women are some of the facilities of this scheme for women who face sexual/physical/psychological/emotional/economic abuse, irrespective of their caste, creed, race, class, education status, age, culture, or marital status.
3. Specialized services would be provided to the aggrieved women facing any kind of violence due to attempted acid attacks, witch-hunting, domestic violence, trafficking, sexual assault or sexual harassment and have reached out or been referred to the OSC.

One-Stop Centre Services

The following services are provided under Sakhi – One Stop Centre Scheme:

1. Medical assistance
2. Police Assistance
3. Psycho-social support/counseling
4. Legal aid/counseling
5. Shelter
6. Video conferencing facility

Aspirants can go through the relevant topics provided in the table below to prepare comprehensively for the upcoming Civil Services examinations-

The Centres will be integrated with a Women Helpline to facilitate access to the following services:

1. Emergency response and rescue services.
2. Medical assistance.
3. Assistance to women in lodging the FIR.
4. Psycho-social support and counseling.
5. Legal aid and counseling.
6. Shelter
7. Video conferencing facility.

Ujjawala Scheme

The government’s initiative towards trafficking of Women and Children will be integrated with these One Stop Centres and will provide access to these services which include:

1. Emergency Response and Rescue Services will be provided in linkage with already existing mechanisms like 108 service, police, National Health Mission (NHM), etc. so that the women aggrieved can be rescued and transferred to the nearest medical facility.
2. Medical assistance shall be provided as per the protocols developed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
3. Assistance in lodging First Information Report (FIR) / non-cognizable Report (NCR).
4. Counselling and Psychosocial support to give women, confidence and support to seek justice for the violence caused. Additionally, legal aid will also be provided.
5. Video conferencing facility shall be provided to the aggrieved woman in consultation with the Superintendent of Police, District and Sessions Judge to record her statement using audio-video electronic means.

For more updates on the Ujjawala scheme, check the linked article.

One Stop Centre Scheme Notes:- Download PDF Here

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