Monday, March 7, 2005
Wedcross- Helping Victims Of Abuse
By - Nandini IyerA freelance writer and journalist, and passionate about writing and travel, Nandini Aiyer is one writer who is very vociferous about women-centric issues and does not mind writing adequately about it. Some of issues she has written about are social and cultural issues, lifestyle and civic issues. Besides these, Nandini’s passion lies in travel writing and writing for children. A well- known columnist based in Chennai, Nandini is currently in the process of writing the biography of an artist from Chennai. Through her column she would try to explore the coastal lands
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From the past 5 years, an organization in Chennai, Prevention of Crime and Victim care (PCVC), is helping the women to fight against physical and mental abuse. Prevention of Crime and Victim Care or PCVC has recently launched ‘Wed Cross’, another programme under its banner, which is proving to be a platform for married women, who are suffering the pangs of bruised marriages.
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Talking about the programme, Ms. Thrupti of PCVC says, “Wed Cross was launched a few months ago to help women who are victims of wife-battering, torture abuse and other such marital problems, but do not know where to go for help.” She adds that it is important to identify abuse in a marital relationship as domestic violence. “Domestic violence involves mental, physical and sexual abuse. Women, children, elderly people and people with disabilities are the most venerable victims of these forms of abuse. Violence is usually used as a mean to show the control and power,” Thrupti says.
Since its inception, PCVC has dealt with cases of child abuse, domestic violence, mental and physical torture, but with Wed Cross being launched, they are now trying to reach out to battered women in a more closer way.
“The women often fail to find an anchor when it comes to talking about marital problems and wife beating. Through wed-cross, we are trying to help educated women open up about their problems instead of just living in a social stigma and suffering. We have a 24-hour helpline and do liaise with the women police station to reach out to women,” says Thrupti.
Adding onto its existing programmes, PCVC has recently started holding discussions in colleges to educate the youth on violence and issues of similar concern. “The response has been good, because young girls do not discuss such things even to their friends, leave alone anyone else,” says Thrupti. She added that the programme helps them a great deal when they know that there is someone to fallback on.
The organization also gives tips on how to deal with domestic violence. These include tips like – Remember that the abuse is not your fault, domestic violence is a crime not a personal feud, Speak out and reach out, talk to some close friend or family about the problem, take care of your children’s security; give a picture of your abuser and protective orders to the school, have an emergency bag that contains extra clothing, money, academic certificates, license, passport and other important documents handy for any problems.
The organization has a team of committed counselors and lawyers to advise the women on legal issues and also have an interim shelter. Their ongoing efforts include a 24-hour helpline, an emergency shelter, end-abuse campaigns and burn survivor rehabilitation. The organization can be contacted at helpline numbers like the Women police helpline at 1091 and Wed Cross Crisis Line at 98407 66666.
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