Punjab's Saanjh Rahat Kendras have identified 1,069 women as victims of domestic violence out of 1,656 screened at four centres, according to Special Director General of Police (Community Affairs Division and Women Affairs) Gurpreet Kaur Deo. Speaking on Monday, she said the centres are bridging the gap between distress calls and formal justice mechanisms by providing survivors with a safe and accessible support system within civil hospitals.
Comprehensive support under one roof
Deo explained that the centres offer integrated counselling, legal aid, medical assistance and rehabilitation services. The first such centre was established in Mohali in September 2024 and has since expanded to Fatehgarh Sahib, Ludhiana and Jalandhar. Trained counsellors with postgraduate qualifications in psychology are deployed at these centres, enabling early identification and intervention in abuse cases.
Shocking statistics
According to data shared by Deo, nearly two-thirds of the women screened were identified as victims of domestic violence. Around 15 per cent of the identified victims required admission for poisoning-related cases linked to self-harm attempts, while nearly 70 per cent reported physical assault, including sexual violence.
Deo highlighted that domestic violence remains one of the most under-reported crimes despite legal safeguards. She noted that Punjab Police's emergency response support system received 59,922 domestic violence-related complaints in 2024, but only 1,642 FIRs were registered under provisions relating to cruelty by husbands or relatives. She said this disparity reflects challenges survivors face due to social stigma, economic dependence, fear of retaliation and the complexity of navigating multiple agencies.
Strategic placement in hospitals
Deo emphasised that locating counsellors directly inside civil hospitals has proven effective because hospitals are often the first point of contact for women experiencing physical injuries or emotional trauma. The centres facilitate counselling, legal advice, referrals to police stations, shelter services and welfare schemes, creating a coordinated response system rather than relying solely on conventional policing measures.
Future plans
Discussing the next phase, Deo said efforts are underway to strengthen awareness programmes among adolescent girls and women. Structured training is being provided to police personnel, doctors, nurses and hospital staff to improve sensitivity and response mechanisms.
She stressed that domestic violence cannot be addressed through arrests and court proceedings alone, emphasising the need for emotional support, rehabilitation and pathways to self-reliance. Deo said, “The Saanjh Rahat Kendras represent an important partnership between the police, health department and civil society, providing survivors with a doorway to safety, dignity and hope while laying the foundation for a scalable model that could be replicated across Punjab and beyond.”
