When a woman arrives in police station with a complaint of crime committed on her, it is not the same case like a male coming to police station being subjected to a crime. Women comes to police station very often in a distressed condition. Such women can’t be left in the lurch. They need special care. A sympathetic approach to women reduces the plight to a maximum extent. Thus, what can be a better approach then hearing her voice and creating a space for it in the police station. This idea consolidated in the form of Women Support Centre in the Commissionerate of police in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack in the nomenclature of Maadhyam Women Support Centre.
The new venture to address the legal issues of women subjected to crime started in partnership with Commissionerate Police of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack on 3rd September 2014 in a formal way in the presence of galaxy of contemporary women activists, social leader and police officials. A memorandum of agreement has been signed between Commissioner of police and ISD to regulate functioning of Maadhyam. To make the centre functional and effective trained counsellors have been appointed.
So far, we have travelled over 9 years since its inception. The sagacious journey tells us many successful stories that Maadhyam has facilitated through its unique endeavour. The centre not only provides counselling but also delivers support services for survivors of violence. The Maadhyam attempts to bring about reconciliation with adequate attention on protection of dignity of women.
Thus, we realised that the best practices and the success stories must reach to a wider audience so that hope and aspiration of the society can be rightfully addressed.
In this regard, we dedicate this website for creating awareness and understanding among the people, policy makers and the society at large.
Thank you
Subhashri Das
Director
Institute for Social Development