KOCHI: As the ‘Snehitha’ Gender Help Desk — first launched in Ernakulam on August 21, 2013 — enters its 13th year, the emergency assistance and support system has handled over 66,000 cases of violence against women and children. In Ernakulam district, the total number of cases handled by the help desk in the past 13 years is 10,428.
According to an official with the Kudumbasree Snehitha desk, following the success of the first desk launched in Ernakulam, the state government decided to expand the programme to other districts too. In 2017, Snehitha was launched in the remaining 13 districts.
The official said that the help desk aimed to provide a safe space for women and children, emergency assistance and support to those facing violence, and interventions necessary for survival and livelihood. “The main services provided are counselling, mediation, temporary accommodation, legal aid, and medical assistance,” the official said, adding that Snehitha’s services are free of charge.
At Ernakulam Snehitha, 1,685 people have availed of the temporary accommodation facilities. “Accommodation is available for women, girls, and boys below the age of 10. The facilities can accommodate up to five persons at a time. Counsellors, service providers, and security personnel work on a shift basis at Snehitha,” she added.
According to the official, the main cases handled at the help desk are domestic violence, family issues, child and adolescent issues, mobile phone addiction, elder protection, mental health issues, violence against women and children, and Pocso cases.
“Cases handled by Snehitha show that alcoholism continues to be a major cause in incidents of domestic violence. Dowry-related issues also contribute to such cases. Complaints related to extramarital affairs are also being reported more and more now,” she said.
In cases related to children, some of the main issues include excessive use of mobile phones, changes in behaviour, and poor academic performance. “The family environment has a great impact on the mental and social development of children. Snehitha also handles cases of senior citizens being thrown out of their homes. Such cases include incidents where parents face harassment from children addicted to alcohol and are left without a place to live,” added the official.
Snehitha’s activities are not limited to the service centres alone. Gender awareness training, crime mapping, ‘Snehitha @ School’ project, school-college gender clubs, and activities of gender resource centres are also being carried out by Snehitha. “Various awareness campaigns such as door-to-door campaign, gender carnival, and Snehitha calling bell have already been organised,” she said.
To make the public aware about Snehitha’s services, a campaign called ‘Ucchabhashini’ was launched on August 18. “The campaign vehicle will visit selected CDSs (Community Development Societies) in various blocks of the district from August 18 to 25 to make announcements about Snehitha’s services and distribute visiting cards,” said the official.
Beacon of hope
Total cases handled by Snehitha Gender Help Desk in the state - 66,779
Total cases handled in Ernakulam district - 10,428
Launched first in Ernakulam on August 2013
Expanded to other districts in 2017Snehitha can be contacted at 1800 4255 5678 (toll-free number), 85940 34255 (phone number)
