Sakhi Centres Lifeline for Women in Distress: Sailaja
Dr Sailaja stressed that counsellors and legal advisors working with trauma survivors must also prioritise their own mental well-being to sustain effective service delivery
Nellore: Emphasising the need for compassionate and professional support for survivors of violence, Andhra Pradesh State Women's Commission chairperson Dr Rayapati Sailaja on Wednesday said Sakhi (One Stop) Centres have become a crucial lifeline for women facing abuse, providing a wide range of services under one roof.
Launching a state-level training programme on trauma-informed care, mental health, self-care and survivor-centric support for staff of 14 Sakhi Centres at the government general hospital in Nellore, Dr Shailaja said the initiative aims to equip frontline personnel with the skills needed to handle victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, acid attacks and other forms of abuse with empathy and dignity.
The workshop, organised jointly by the Andhra Pradesh State Women's Commission and the National Commission for Women (NCW), focused on preventing re-traumatisation while ensuring timely access to medical care, legal aid, police assistance, counselling and FIR registration through Sakhi Centres.
Dr Sailaja stressed that counsellors and legal advisors working with trauma survivors must also prioritise their own mental well-being to sustain effective service delivery.
Legal advisors, counsellors and officials from 14 districts spanning Guntur to Rayalaseema participated in the programme, which featured expert sessions on legal, policing and psychological aspects of victim care. During her visit, Dr. Sailaja also received petitions from several women seeking the intervention of the State Women's Commission.
