Rape crisis centre to become operational by year end

Days after the Badaun gangrape, Union women and child development minister Maneka Gandhi has announced the setting up of a rape crisis centre in every district of India by the end of the year.

Days after the Badaun gangrape, Union women and child development minister Maneka Gandhi has announced the setting up of a rape crisis centre in every district of India by the end of the year.

HT Image

These centres would provide necessary support – medical to legal aid – to rape victims. "These centres would be serviced by policemen, lawyers, doctors.... there would be an ambulance and they will go hand in hand with a national helpline that would be set up. Initially there will be atleast one such centre in each of the districts and nearly Rs 500 crore could be allocated for it," she said.

Gandhi called the UP government's handling of the case "insensitive" and said the Akhilesh Yadav-led government should go. "Insensitive, they are. I say this government should go. But even if a new government comes, till the time we don't provide ample protection to women, what will it do," she said.

Gandhi also announced the setting up of an email helpline min-wcd@nic.in that will start functioning very soon, where women who are in trouble and need help can contact the ministry. A nodal officer has been appointed to monitor the helpline.