One Stop Centre Scheme, Launched Date, Eligibility, Benefits

One Stop Centre Scheme, also known as the Sakhi Scheme, is a flagship initiative by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), Government of India. Launched on April 1, 2015, the scheme aims to provide integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence, both in private and public spaces, under one roof. 

One Stop Centres offer a range of services, including medical aid, legal assistance, psycho-social counselling, and temporary shelter, ensuring a holistic approach to addressing violence against women. Since the financial year 2022–23, the scheme has been integrated into the Sambal sub-scheme under the umbrella of Mission Shakti.

About One Stop Centre Scheme

One Stop Centre Scheme (OSC), also known as the Sakhi One Stop Centre Scheme, is a flagship initiative by the Government of India aimed at supporting women affected by various forms of violence.

• Launched on April 1, 2015, under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the One Stop Centres (OSCs) are established to assist women experiencing violence in both public and private settings—whether at home, in the community, or in the workplace.
• These centres cater to women enduring physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, or economic abuse, regardless of their age, caste, class, education level, marital status, ethnicity, or cultural background.
• Women who approach or are referred to OSCs due to incidents such as sexual harassment, assault, domestic abuse, human trafficking, honour-based violence, acid attacks, or witch-hunting receive comprehensive, specialised support and intervention services.

One Stop Centre Scheme Background

One Stop Centre Scheme background lies in the pressing need to offer integrated and immediate support to women survivors of gender-based violence.

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• Before the establishment of OSCs, victims had to navigate multiple systems—such as the police, hospitals, and legal services—often without coordination, which added to their distress and delayed access to justice and care.
• Gender-based violence (GBV) is a widespread issue that transcends borders, affecting individuals regardless of class, culture, religion, or geography.
• The 1993 United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women defines GBV as acts likely to cause physical, psychological, or sexual harm to women.
• In India, GBV manifests in numerous forms, including domestic abuse, dowry-related violence, honour killings, acid attacks, and more.
• Recognising the need for a centralised support system, the Ministry of Women and Child Development launched the OSC Scheme on April 1, 2015, under the National Mission for Empowerment of Women.

One Stop Centre Scheme Objectives

The primary objectives of the One Stop Centre Scheme are to provide integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence, both in private and public spaces, and to facilitate immediate, emergency, and non-emergency access to a range of services under one roof. The scheme aims to:

• To deliver comprehensive assistance to women facing violence in both domestic and public settings through a unified platform.
• The scheme aims to ensure prompt access—both in emergencies and otherwise—to a wide array of services such as healthcare, legal aid, psychological care, and counselling, all available in one place to address every form of violence against women.

One Stop Centre Scheme Need

One Stop Centre Scheme need arises from the pervasive and multifaceted nature of violence against women in India. Women often face barriers such as social stigma, fear of retaliation, lack of awareness, and complicated legal and healthcare processes when seeking help.

• Before OSCs, survivors had to navigate a fragmented system, approaching police, hospitals, legal aid, and shelters separately, which led to delays and increased trauma.
• The One Stop Centre Scheme addresses these challenges by offering a centralised, survivor-friendly platform where all essential services are available under one roof.
• This integrated approach not only expedites the response to violence but also reduces the emotional and logistical burden on survivors.
• The One Stop Centre Scheme fulfils a critical gap in India’s response to gender-based violence, ensuring timely, coordinated, and compassionate care for women in distress.

One Stop Centre Scheme Services

One Stop Centre Scheme Services include emergency rescue, medical assistance, psychological counselling, legal aid, temporary shelter, and video conferencing facilities to support women facing violence and ensure timely access to protection and justice.

• Emergency Response and Rescue Services: One Stop Centres will coordinate with emergency services like 108 Ambulance, NHM, and local police to swiftly rescue women facing violence and refer them to appropriate healthcare centres or safe shelter facilities.
• Medical Assistance: Women experiencing violence will be referred to the nearest government or private hospital, where medical treatment and examinations will follow protocols set by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for such cases.
• Psycho-Social Support and Counselling: Trained counsellors will provide confidential psychological support and emotional guidance to victims of violence, helping them regain confidence and cope, in line with professional ethics and counselling protocols issued by authorities.
• Legal Aid and Counselling: Empanelled legal experts or members of legal services authorities will assist victims in understanding their rights, simplifying legal procedures, and ensuring representation, especially in sensitive cases like sexual assault or domestic violence trials.
• Shelter Services: Temporary shelter for up to five days will be offered at OSCs to affected women and their minor children. For extended stay needs, referrals will be made to recognized institutions like Swadhar Greh or Short Stay Homes.
• Video Conferencing Facility: To streamline legal proceedings, OSCs will provide video conferencing options, enabling survivors to record statements remotely for police or courts, in coordination with district judges and police as per legal provisions.

One Stop Centre Scheme Eligibility

One Stop Centre Scheme is open to all women, including girls under 18, who are victims of violence, regardless of caste, class, religion, region, marital status, or sexual orientation. For girls under 18 years, the One Stop Centres coordinate with authorities under the Juvenile Justice Act and the POCSO Act for appropriate support.

One Stop Centre Scheme Benefits

One Stop Centre Scheme benefits include immediate access to shelter, priority grievance registration, and essential services such as food, medical aid, clothing, and hygiene products for distressed women and their children in crisis.

• A woman facing distress can directly access the One Stop Centre (OSC) by reporting her case personally. Alternatively, someone else may file the complaint on her behalf, though complaints submitted by the victim herself are given top priority.
• Women in crisis can seek temporary shelter at an OSC for up to five days, and may be accompanied by their children. While girls of any age can stay with their mothers, boys above eight years of age are not permitted to remain at the centre with their mothers.
• During their stay, women are provided with essential services such as meals, basic medical care, clothing, and personal hygiene items, including sanitary pads.