|
National Helpline Centre for Violence Against Women and Children (NHCVAWC)
 ulti-Sectoral Programme on Violence Against Women
|
Introduction:
|
|
A UN In-depth Study in 2006 on gender based violence reported that one in every three women in the world was victim of violence. A nationwide study in Bangladesh in 2008 by the Multi-Sectoral Programme on Violence against Women reported that 58 percent of the respondents between the age of 10 and 49 were the victims of violence. The most common form of violence is a physical assault which is followed by sexual assault and harassment. The psychological or mental violence either separately or inclusively with other forms of violence is high but the victims are not aware about such violence. In addition, the social stigma, sense of insecurity, ignorance about the legal provisions, supports and services the women and children victims remain silent. To break the silence of the vast majority of abuse women and children a confidential helpline is urgently needed. National Helpline Centre for Violence against Women and Children has been established under the Multi-Sectoral Programme on Violence against Women (MSPVAW) of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, a programme being carried out jointly by the Government of Bangladesh and Government of Denmark. The centre is located at the 7th Floor of the Department of Women Affairs, 37/3 Eskaton Garden Road, Dhaka- 1000. Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has awarded a short code 109 to the MSPVAW for using as hunting number. The number will be accessed both from mobile numbers and other fixed phones. The centre is equipped with modern equipments and latest operating system. The centre will be operationalized for 24 hours. It is expected that the women and children victims, their families and other stakeholders will be benefitted with relevant information for various advice, services and supports which are available throughout the country.
|
|
|
Objectives of the Helpline Centre:
|
|
- Provide psycho-social counseling support for women and children of NTCC, OCC and Safe home.
- Conduct different types psycho-social counseling training for Human Resource Development.
- Organize awareness raising program such as observation World Mental Health Day .
|
|
|
Main Features of the Helpline Centre
|
|
- Confidential Helpline for one to one communication.
- Authentic information and contract details for various supports.
- Referral support for women in making links with other services.
- Develop social network and raise awareness to combat violence against women and children.
- Rights & entitlements advice and Legal Information
|
|
|
Services and Supports By the Helpline Centre
|
|
- Centre remains open for 24 hours
- Response to the query and question of the victims and her family members and other stakeholders.
- Follow up of the news and reports of violence against women and children published in national newspapers.
- Communicating the messages and request to the local authorities and agencies both at district and upazila level through SMS, e-mail and fax for supports.
- Online interaction between the victims and others professionals (doctor, counselor, lawyer, DNA expert, research officer and police officer).
|
|
|
Total Number of Calls
|
|
| Types of Services | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | Upto December
2019 | Total Number | | Medical Facilities | 103 | 101 | 394 | 356 | 312 | 398 | 1283 | 3051 | 5998 | | Counseling | 174 | 156 | 760 | 453 | 1124 | 1476 | 1373 | 2319 | 7835 | | Police assistance | 263 | 257 | 713 | 1471 | 4108 | 4730 | 22812 | 51276 | 85630 | | Legal Help | 1615 | 1420 | 2726 | 3163 | 8761 | 12307 | 63827 | 129071 | 222890 | | Information | 1784 | 9039 | 36927 | 67228 | 94803 | 370613 | 551342 | 1602352 | 2734088 | | Others | 885 | 1604 | 2965 | 3308 | 4650 | 3734 | 10111 | 23788 | 51045 | | Total | 4824 | 12577 | 44485 | 75979 | 113758 | 393258 | 650758 | 1811857 | 3107486 |
|
|
|
