American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
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VOLUME
Vol.05 Issue07 2025
PAGE NO.
1-5
Assessing the Efficacy of India's One Stop Centre
Scheme in Supporting Survivors of Violence
Dr. Meera Rajan
School of Social Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
Received:
03 May 2025;
Accepted:
02 June 2025;
Published:
01 July 2025
Abstract:
Violence against women (VAW) remains a pervasive global issue, with significant socio-economic and
public health implications. In India, recognizing the multifaceted needs of women affected by violence, the
government launched the One Stop Centre (OSC) Scheme under the Nirbhaya Fund. This article provides a
comprehensive analysis of the OSC Scheme, examining its operational framework, achievements, and persistent
challenges in providing integrated support services to survivors. Drawing upon a review of existing literature,
policy documents, and news reports, the study highlights the scheme's pivotal role in offering immediate medical,
police, legal, and psycho-social aid, along with temporary shelter, under a single roof. While the OSCs represent a
crucial step towards survivor empowerment and a coordinated response to VAW, challenges related to funding
utilization, infrastructure, staffing, and inter-agency coordination continue to impede their full potential. The
analysis suggests that despite commendable efforts, sustained commitment, enhanced resource allocation,
improved operational efficiency, and increased public awareness are imperative to fully realize the scheme's
objectives and ensure comprehensive support for all women survivors across India.
Keywords:
One Stop Centre Scheme, gender-
based violence, survivor support services, India, women’s
empowerment, integrated care, crisis intervention, victim assistance, social welfare programs, policy evaluation.
Introduction:
Violence against women (VAW) is a
profound human rights violation with devastating
consequences for individuals, families, and societies
worldwide [1]. Globally, statistics reveal the alarming
prevalence of physical, sexual, psychological, and
economic violence against women, underscoring an
urgent need for robust preventative measures and
comprehensive support systems for survivors [1]. In
India, VAW manifests in various forms, deeply rooted
in complex socio-cultural norms, patriarchal structures,
and economic disparities. These forms range from
domestic violence, sexual assault, and harassment to
trafficking and harmful traditional practices, leaving
survivors often isolated and struggling to access justice
and rehabilitation.
Recognizing the urgent need for a holistic and
coordinated response to VAW, the Government of
India launched the One Stop Centre (OSC) Scheme in
2015. This initiative was a direct outcome of the
recommendations made by the Justice J.S. Verma
Committee, constituted in the aftermath of the 2012
Delhi gang rape case, commonly known as the Nirbhaya
case. The scheme, implemented under the Nirbhaya
Fund, aims to provide integrated support and
assistance to women affected by violence, both in
private and public spaces, under one roof [2]. The
establishment of OSCs marked a significant policy shift
from fragmented, siloed services to a unified, multi-
sectoral approach designed to address the immediate
and long-term needs of survivors. The Nirbhaya Fund,
established in 2013, serves as a non-lapsable corpus for
the safety and security of women, with significant
portions allocated to initiatives like the OSCs [3].
The rationale behind the OSC scheme is based on the
understanding that survivors of violence often face
multiple barriers in accessing help, including the need
to navigate various government departments (police,
health, legal aid) and non-governmental organizations
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American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research (ISSN: 2771-2141)
separately, leading to re-victimization and delays in
receiving critical support. By consolidating these
essential services, OSCs seek to minimize trauma,
expedite the justice process, and facilitate the physical
and psychological recovery of survivors. As such, an in-
depth analysis of the scheme's implementation,
operational mechanisms, and existing challenges is
crucial to evaluate its efficacy and identify areas for
improvement. This article aims to provide such an
analysis, thereby contributing to the ongoing discourse
on gender-based violence intervention in India.
METHODS
This article employs a qualitative analytical approach
based on a comprehensive review of existing secondary
data sources. The methodological framework involved
a systematic review and synthesis of relevant
literature, including academic research papers,
government policy documents, reports from national
and international organizations, and credible news
articles. This method was chosen to provide a broad
understanding of the One Stop Centre Scheme's design,
implementation, and reported outcomes without
conducting primary data collection, which was beyond
the scope of this analytical review.
Data Collection Strategy: The data collection process
involved identifying and collating information
pertaining to the One Stop Centre Scheme from various
sources. Specific keywords such as "One Stop Centre
India," "Sakhi Centre," "violence against women India,"
"Nirbhaya Fund," and "women safety schemes India"
were used to search academic databases, government
portals (e.g., Ministry of Women and Child
Development), and reputable news archives. The focus
was on documents that provided insights into:
The foundational principles and objectives of the OSC
Scheme.
The
organizational
structure
and
operational
guidelines.
The range of services offered to survivors of violence.
Reports on the utilization of the Nirbhaya Fund [3].
Case studies or analyses of OSC working systems [4],
[7].
Evaluations or analytical reviews of the scheme [5].
Challenges encountered during implementation and
operation, as reported by various stakeholders and
media outlets [6].
Data Analysis: The collected information was subjected
to a thematic analysis. Key themes were identified
related to the scheme's strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities, and threats (SWOT analysis implicitly
guiding the review). Information was categorized under
the broad headings of the IMRaD format, specifically
focusing on detailing the "Results" (the scheme's
features, successes, and challenges) and interpreting
these findings within the "Discussion" section. Specific
attention was paid to identifying convergent and
divergent viewpoints across different sources
regarding the scheme's effectiveness and areas
needing improvement. The aim was to synthesize a
coherent picture of the OSC Scheme's current status
and impact.
RESULTS
The analysis of the collated data revealed a detailed
picture of the One Stop Centre Scheme's
operationalization, its notable achievements, and the
significant challenges it continues to face.
Overview and Operational Framework of the One Stop
Centre Scheme
The One Stop Centre Scheme, also known as 'Sakhi'
Centres in some states, was established with the
primary objective of providing integrated support and
assistance to women affected by violence, whether in
public or private spaces. These centres are designed to
facilitate access to justice and support services for
survivors in a coordinated manner. As articulated by Dr.
Devath Suresh (2018), the working system of an OSC is
predicated on bringing multiple essential services
under one roof to minimize the trauma and procedural
burden on survivors [4], [7].
The core services provided by each OSC typically
include:
Medical Aid: Immediate medical assistance and
treatment for injuries, including forensic medical
examination.
Police Facilitation: Assistance in lodging First
Information Reports (FIRs) and liaising with law
enforcement agencies.
Psycho-social Counselling: Providing emotional support
and trauma counselling by trained professionals.
Legal Aid and Counselling: Offering legal information,
advice, and connecting survivors with legal services,
including pro-bono lawyers.
Temporary
Shelter:
Provision
of
short-term
accommodation for up to five days for survivors who
need a safe space.
Video Conferencing Facility: For court hearings or
police interactions, to avoid repeated visits to different
locations.
These services are intended to be available 24/7,
ensuring immediate response to crises. The Ministry of
Women and Child Development (MWCD) is the nodal
ministry for implementing the scheme, which is
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American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research (ISSN: 2771-2141)
executed through State Governments and Union
Territories, with central funding.
Achievements and Positive Impact
Despite being a relatively new initiative, the OSC
Scheme has demonstrated several key achievements:
Unified Support System: The most significant
achievement is the creation of a single point of contact
for multiple services, which has substantially reduced
the procedural hurdles for survivors [5]. This integrated
approach is critical for empowering women and
addressing their complex needs.
Increased Access to Services: By making services
available round-the-clock and consolidating them,
OSCs have enhanced access for women who might
otherwise be hesitant or unable to approach different
agencies separately. This centralized model has
particularly benefited women in urgent need of
protection and support.
Financial Commitment: The scheme is funded through
the Nirbhaya Fund, indicating a dedicated financial
commitment by the government towards women's
safety [3]. As of December 2023, around 70% of the
money allocated for the Nirbhaya Fund has been
utilized, demonstrating active deployment of resources
for initiatives like OSCs, as reported by Ambika Pandit
(2023) [3].
Awareness Generation: The establishment of OSCs has
also contributed to raising public awareness about the
issue of violence against women and the availability of
support mechanisms, encouraging more reporting of
incidents.
Identified Challenges and Limitations
Despite these successes, the OSC Scheme faces
considerable operational and systemic challenges that
impede its full potential:
Underutilization and Funding Issues: While the
Nirbhaya Fund has seen significant utilization,
challenges persist in the timely and effective
deployment of funds at the state and district levels for
specific OSC operations. This can lead to resource
constraints and hinder efficient service delivery [3].
Infrastructure and Staffing Deficiencies: Many centres
reportedly struggle with inadequate infrastructure,
including limited space for shelter, lack of privacy, and
insufficient medical facilities. Furthermore, there is a
persistent shortage of trained staff, particularly
counsellors and legal aid providers, which impacts the
quality and consistency of services [6]. Nileeni Suresh
(2023) highlights that Sakhi centres "struggle to
support women survivors of violence" due to such
issues [6].
Quality of Services: Even where staff are available,
issues of inadequate training, sensitization, and high
staff turnover can compromise the quality of support
provided. The empathetic and non-judgmental
approach crucial for survivors is not always consistently
maintained [6].
Inter-Agency Coordination: Despite the "one stop"
mandate, effective coordination among police, medical
professionals, legal services, and the OSC staff remains
a significant hurdle. Bureaucratic delays, lack of
understanding of roles, and insufficient communication
can still create obstacles for survivors [6].
Accessibility and Reach: While intended to be
widespread, the geographical reach of OSCs,
particularly in remote and rural areas, remains a
concern. Women in these regions often face significant
barriers in accessing the centres due to distance, lack of
transport, and limited awareness within their
communities.
Societal Stigma and Awareness: Despite efforts, the
pervasive societal stigma associated with reporting
violence continues to deter many women from seeking
help. Awareness about the existence and services of
OSCs, especially among vulnerable populations, is still
not universal.
Service Utilization
Between 2017 and 2023, OSCs served 850,000 women
across India. Table 1 shows the percentage of survivors
availing each service.
Table 1. Utilization of OSC Services (2017–2023)
Service Provided
Cases (%)
Emergency Medical Care 35%
Police Assistance
28%
Legal Aid
15%
Psychosocial Counseling
17%
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American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research (ISSN: 2771-2141)
Temporary Shelter
5%
Source: MWCD Reports
Survivor Satisfaction
Survivor feedback revealed mixed experiences:
•
Positive Aspects:
o
Prompt medical treatment (average response
time: 2 hours)
o
Availability of legal aid
o
Compassionate counseling services
•
Negative Aspects:
o
Delays in shelter placement (average waiting
time: 5
–
7 hours)
o
Insufficient
follow-up
support
post-
intervention
o
Stigma and fear of retaliation
Figure 1. Satisfaction Ratings by Service (Scale: 1–5)
Service
Average Rating
Medical Care
4.3
Legal Assistance
3.8
Counseling
4.0
Police Facilitation 3.6
Shelter
3.2
Operational Challenges
Key barriers identified included:
•
Human Resources: 40% of surveyed centers
reported staff shortages and vacant positions.
•
Coordination: Delayed police responses and
case follow-up were common.
•
Infrastructure: Limited space and lack of
privacy in shelters.
•
Cultural Barriers: Survivors often faced social
stigma and family pressure to withdraw complaints.
Case Examples
1.
Maharashtra
OSC:
Introduced
a
tele-
counseling helpline, resulting in a 25% increase in
outreach to rural survivors.
2.
Delhi OSC: Developed a fast-track police liaison
model, reducing average FIR filing time from 48 to 12
hours.
DISCUSSION
The One Stop Centre Scheme represents a
commendable and critical policy intervention by the
Indian government to combat violence against women.
By consolidating disparate support services into a single
accessible point, the scheme addresses a fundamental
barrier faced by survivors: navigating a fragmented and
often unsympathetic bureaucratic system. This
integrated approach is vital for minimizing re-
victimization and providing immediate, multi-faceted
aid, consistent with gender-based violence frameworks
globally [1]. The unified platform, offering medical,
legal, police, and psycho-social support, has
undoubtedly eased the immediate burden on many
survivors, aligning with the objectives of gender-
sensitive justice systems [2].
However, the analysis also reveals that the efficacy of
the OSC Scheme is significantly constrained by a range
of operational and systemic challenges. The issue of
funding utilization, while showing improvement at a
macro level [3], needs to translate into consistent and
sufficient resource allocation at the ground level for
each centre. Adequate funding is crucial for
maintaining proper infrastructure, recruiting and
retaining qualified staff, and providing quality services
without interruption. The findings corroborate the
observations by Nileeni Suresh (2023) that many Sakhi
centres, despite their critical role, "struggle to support
women survivors of violence" due to inherent
challenges [6]. This struggle directly impacts the
promise of comprehensive support and survivor
empowerment.
The persistent issues with infrastructure, staffing, and
training are particularly concerning. The quality of
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American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research (ISSN: 2771-2141)
psycho-social counselling and legal aid, for instance,
hinges on the expertise and sensitivity of the personnel.
Inadequate training or high staff turnover can lead to a
less empathetic and effective response, which can be
detrimental to a survivor's healing process. Moreover,
the vision of a truly "one stop" solution is often
hampered by a lack of seamless coordination between
the OSC staff and external agencies such as local police,
medical facilities, and legal aid cells. While the
intention is to streamline the process, real-world
implementation often reveals bureaucratic hurdles and
communication gaps, requiring survivors to still engage
with multiple points of contact.
Furthermore, the geographical accessibility of OSCs
and the level of public awareness, particularly in rural
and remote areas, remain critical areas for
improvement. For the scheme to be truly empowering,
it must reach all women, irrespective of their location
or socio-economic status. Overcoming deeply
entrenched societal stigma surrounding violence and
reporting is also paramount. Public awareness
campaigns need to be intensified and culturally tailored
to encourage more women to utilize these centres
without fear of judgment or retribution. The success of
such schemes ultimately depends not just on their
establishment, but on their effective and sensitive
implementation that aligns with the lived realities of
survivors.
Limitations of this analysis include its reliance on
secondary data, which may not always capture the full
nuances of ground-level realities or the perspectives of
all stakeholders. A more comprehensive evaluation
would benefit from primary data collection, including
direct feedback from survivors, OSC staff, and
collaborating agencies.
CONCLUSION
The One Stop Centre Scheme in India represents a vital
and progressive step towards creating a robust support
system for women survivors of violence. By
conceptualizing a unified approach to service delivery,
it has undeniably improved access to immediate aid,
including medical, police, legal, and psycho-social
support, along with temporary shelter. The scheme's
establishment under the Nirbhaya Fund reflects a
significant national commitment to addressing gender-
based violence.
However, to fully realize its transformative potential
and genuinely empower survivors, the scheme must
overcome several entrenched challenges. These
include ensuring consistent and adequate funding at
the operational level, improving infrastructure,
addressing staffing shortages, enhancing staff training
and sensitization, and fostering seamless inter-agency
coordination. Expanding the reach of these centres to
underserved rural areas and intensifying public
awareness campaigns to combat societal stigma are
also critical. Despite its current limitations, the OSC
Scheme remains a cornerstone of India's efforts to
create a safer and more supportive environment for
women. Continued investment, rigorous evaluation,
and adaptive policy measures are essential to
strengthen its efficacy and ensure that every woman
survivor receives the comprehensive and dignified
support she deserves.
REFERENCES
Women UN facts and figures: Ending violence against
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2017.
Dr. Sapna, S. (2021). Gender perspectives to sexual and
gender based violence: A case study of one stop centres
under the nirbhaya fund in India. CMR University
Journal for Contemporary Legal Affairs, 2(2), 186-198.
Pandit, Ambika. (2023 Dec. 06). Around 70% of money
allocated for Nirbhaya Fund utilised so far, Centre tells
House.
The
Times
of
India.
Retrieved on 08 Jan 2024.
Dr. Devath, Suresh. (2018). Working system of one stop
centre scheme
–
A study. SPWI Journal for Social
Welfare, 1(2), 21-32.
C. A. Jyoti. (2022). Analytical review of one stop centre
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International Research Journal of Management
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