No city hospital has so far set up special treatment units
Picture for representational purpose only. (Photo: File/DC Archive)
Bengaluru: If the state budget is to be believed, by now the city would have special treatment units for women who are victims of atrocities. The special treatment units are supposed to be a one-stop place for rape victims where they will get medical treatment along with police and legal consultation.
In Bengaluru, the rape capital of South India, these centres were to be set up at Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital, KC General Hospital, Bangalore Medical College, NIMHANS and Jayadeva Hospital. But, so far no such centre has been set up at any of the hospitals. On a visit to Bowring Hospital DC found that there was no such unit there. It is nearly two months since the budget was passed.
“No unit has been set up so far. It is only on paper; nothing has been implemented so far,” confirmed Pramila Nesargi, Ex-Chairperson of the Women Commission of Karnataka. “Leave alone a rape care centre, there are no separate wards to treat such victims and neither are there any trained doctors who can handle such situations," said Ms Nesargi who has been running from pillar to post to get dedicated wards for rape victims.
Woman activist Geetha Menon, founder of Stree Jagrati Samithi has also been working for the past six months to get the special treatment units in place.
“Since the government orders have not been passed in this regard, it is impossible to set up the centre. For the past six months we have been trying to get these centres established but sadly even after being mentioned in the State Budget nothing concrete has happened yet,” said Ms Menon.
She was assured by the Department of Women and Child Welfare, Karnataka that an announcement would be made on April 15 regarding the centres.
“With the election dates being announced I think it will be pushed back even further. And, unless the government order is passed it is still on paper. We need to wait till June,” Ms Menon said.
“The one-stop rape crisis centres are a crucial aspect of fighting for justice and meant to effectively stop re-victimisation of victims, but in spite of all the platitudes, the mindset of the criminal justice system is bent on making victims not come forward to complain,” said Ms Menon added. However, according to Bowring Hospital they have begun intensive training for gynaecologists for ten days but the establishment of the centre is yet to take shape.
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