What this scheme offers
Also known as Sakhi, One Stop Centres are designed to end the exhausting, re-traumatising experience of a violence survivor having to visit a police station, hospital, and court separately, each requiring her to repeat her story. At least one OSC operates in most districts (typically located near or within a hospital campus for easy medical access), staffed to provide first-aid and medical assistance, police facilitation (filing an FIR or connecting with a Women Help Desk), legal aid and case management, psychosocial counselling, and temporary shelter (usually up to 5 days, extendable in some cases) — all coordinated from a single centre. OSCs handle violence of any kind: domestic violence, sexual assault, harassment (including at the workplace), stalking, cyber crime against women, trafficking, and acid attacks, with no distinction based on the woman's caste, class, religion, marital status, sexuality, or where the violence occurred.
Who is eligible
- Any woman or girl affected by violence, in a private or public space, regardless of age, class, caste, education, marital status, race, culture, disability, ethnicity, religious identity, or sexual orientation.
- Minors are also supported, with coordination with child protection systems (Mission Vatsalya) where applicable.
- No documentation is required to access initial support — a woman can walk in directly.
Documents required
- None required to access the centre initially — support begins immediately regardless of paperwork
- Identity documents help with FIR filing and legal case processing, where relevant, but staff assist even without them
How to access an OSC
- Call the Women Helpline (181), available 24x7 in most states/UTs, to be connected to your nearest OSC or for immediate telephonic guidance.
- Visit your nearest OSC directly — most are located at or near a district hospital; ask any hospital reception or police station for directions if you're unsure of the location.
- Alternatively, approach any police station, which is required to facilitate a connection to the nearest OSC for a woman reporting violence.
- Staff at the centre will assess your immediate needs — medical, legal, police, or shelter — and coordinate support without requiring you to travel elsewhere.
- Follow-up counselling and legal case support continues after your initial visit, for as long as needed.