Help Should Not Be a Secret

PRATIMA SHARMA

Sometimes, even when we know something is going wrong, we silently hold back the truth. Women are rising, being aware, but deep down a hesitation still lies in following our gut. Right from sitting uncomfortably in that shared taxi to accepting silence when mistreated, questioning ourselves for the statements passed by a stranger or even a social media connection emerging from a mistrusted vulnerability, we keep going without action. Fear has kept many voices locked behind closed doors. Society still roars silently inside the fragile mind; the survivor raising a voice is treated like rusted iron next to the womanizer.

Are you surely not one among many living in abuse quietly? Is it the lack of information, the fear of judgment, fear of perceived reputation being threatened, or the fear of not being believed, or the constant need to prove?

We have to understand that not every abuse is visible. It is manipulation dressed up as morals, emotional threats dressed up as control, mental torture, sexual abuse, and financial restraints dressed up as love and concern. No one defines your worth, note it. If someone is trying to defame you, use your information against you, verbally rant at you, make a sexual statement against you, physically or sexually assault you, this one is for you, dear readers, help is available, but you have to hold the courage.

The One Stop Centre Scheme was implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), Government of India, on April 1, 2015, to provide integrated support, including medical, legal, and psychological aid to women affected by violence under one roof. It is intended to support women affected by violence in private and public spaces, within the family, community, and at the workplace. For girls below 18 years of age, institutions and authorities established under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, will be linked with the OSC. Under one roof, medical assistance, police facilitation, legal aid, psychological counselling, and temporary shelter are made accessible. It is designed to provide coordinated support in a single safe space.

In the state of Sikkim, One Stop Centres and the Women Helpline are there to help you in every district. So many people are surviving things they never speak about. But I believe this piece of information helps you to make the move, to come out and rewrite your chapters of healing, leaving behind places that made you shrink and waited only for you to crumble every time they raised their hand on you. OSC is a space of being non-judgmental and handling your story and pain with care. We all live once, the choice is yours. If you are in a phase of isolation, you can dial the Women Helpline 181, they will do the needful, and a One Stop Centre staff will connect to you.

One Stop Centres exist. Support exists. Protection exists. Let us break the silence, spread awareness, and stand tall because safety is not a privilege, it is a right.

(Pratima Sharma is a practicing counsellor with a Master’s degree in Psychology. She has prior experience in journalism and is also engaged in poetry and storytelling. She was one of the editors and compilers for the 6th edition of "A Tribute to Aadi Kavi" and has hosted the digital poetry show "Kavyako Rang" which signifies the colours of poetry. Email: xrmapratima123@gmail.com)