Chennai: Woman facing crime and abuse in the city can now approach new special cell for women for justice as well as counselling as the city police commissioner A.K. Viswanathan threw open the facility on Friday.
The aggrieved women can dial 94983 36002 to avail its services. The details and identity of women approaching the centre will be kept confidential, the police said.
The centre, which is opened on the purview of National Commission for Women, Tamil Nadu Police and Tata Institute of Social Science, would function at the premises of Thousand Lights police station. Such special centres are opened in Salem, Madurai, and Thirunelveli apart from Chennai.
“Police officials at all-women police stations and other police stations should refer the aggrieved women to the centre. The police also should try to make arrangements to invite the experts to their stations if needed,” commissioner A.K. Viswanathan said after inaugurating the centre.
He also implored the additional commissioners of police to arrange for training sessions to instil awareness among police personnel in the city. “Minor issues could be solved through the special cell,” he added.
According to a police statement, the special cell would assist the women to overcome sensitive issues. “The cell will also help the women to meet family and community to create an amicable situation. The cell will help the women to get police assistance,” the release said.
Apart from this, the cell would also help with legal aids and provide counselling to the persons who abuse women. The cell would help shelter and vocational training to the affected women.
Social welfare secretary Manivasan, Tamil Nadu commission for women chairperson Kannagi Bakkiyanathan and other police officials took part in the event.
