Provide socio - legal support to victims / survivors of Sexual and Domestic violence

Issues of violence against women and children have become key concerns both at the national and international level in both developing and developed countries and there is an acute need to evolve strategies within the domestic sphere of each nation to counter this and arrest the trend of escalating sexual and domestic violence  In India we are aided by several pro-women and children statutes and legal provisions which are meant to protect them and secure their rights. Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 and Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, changes brought about in criminal statutes dealing with issues of rape and molestation after the public campaign which followed the gruesome gangrape case in Delhi (the Nirbhaya Case), the Maharashtra State level scheme - Manodhairya as well as the Supreme Court guidelines for providing financial support to survivors of sexual abuse have provided the ground on which we need to build further so that the statutory reforms are able to reach the lowest denomination of victims, ensure their dignity and bring in remedial measures to them.

The overall goal is to make the system accessible to women victims of violence. By offering socio legal support to victims of violence, we will help them access the system and courts and we will ensure the stakeholders are accountable to victims and perform their role as prescribed under the Act.

Domestic Violence

First Response for Domestic Violence case : Meet the victim and understand her needs. Offer legal consultation and present her with the pre litigation and litigation options available. Present to her the pros and cons of her case so she can take an informed decision.

Social Support for Domestic Violence case : Provide information about social support services available. Help women access appropriate agencies that can help them in the pre litigation stage ie protection officers, police, hospitals, shelter, other NGOs, trauma counselling, vocational training etc Also to constantly build their confidence in the system and help them take a decision to address the violence.

Legal Support for Domestic Violence case : Provide legal support to survivors who want to approach the courts to access the reliefs provided under the DV Act through applications filed by our team of lawyers in the courts.

Sexual Violence

First Response for Sexual Violence case : Most of the cases that come to Majlis are referred to us by the Police Control Room, Child Welfare Committee, Courts and NGOs, in the city of Mumbai. Once a case is referred to Majlis it requires our immediate intervention, of which the first action is to find the address of the victim and to meet her and her family.We listen to what the victim and her family have to say about the case, we clarify doubts, and fears if any, counsel the family, identify social support she may need and explain about the services and schemes (public & private) available to her. We assure the victim that she can reach out to Majlis for help at any point of time. We endeavor to create a bond with the victim and develop her trust in our support. Conduct court orientation visits for the victim to familiarise her with the police station and court. Be present at the police station whenever the victim is called for any enquiry (signing for Manodhairya or other documents). Check the police statement to ensure it has been correctly recorded and that the correct sections of the law in relation to the charges, have been added. Be present with her for the Panchnama and test identification parade

Social Support for Sexual Violence case : Provide a shelter home and other services under the order of the Child Welfare Committee.  Counsel the victim on any issues especially when they are living in the shelter homes.  Help the victim access the services she needs which include counseling, accomodation, education, vocational training, medical, legal aid, etc. Link her to services offered by other NGOs.  Help the victim access compensation and other victim support facilities and schemes. Help her make documents like Aadhaar card, Pan card, Ration card, Income certificate,etc

Legal Support for Sexual Violence case : Prepare the victim on legal aspects of the activities and actions. Research case laws and present the same to the Public Prosecutor. Draft arguments for Public Prosecutor. Re-conduct the court orientation for the victim and witnesses to refresh their understanding of the court and the flow of events during the deposition. Meet the victim prior to the recording of her evidence in court and go over all documents with her and address her apprehensions, if any. (Often this is done over multiple dates) Be present in court during the recording of her evidence.

Domestic Violence

Women are aware of their rights and of the pre and post litigation options that they can use to get justice

All women who require referral facilities are linked to the appropriate agencies and provided with the services required. They will get the required social support through repeated interactions with the Majlis lawyer / social worker.

Acquire the required interim reliefs under the Act namely, protection, maintenance, residence and others as per the case.

Sexual Violence

 Confidence to victims for justice via the criminal justice process:

· Fair and equal opportunity to be heard in the criminal justice process

· To be treated with dignity, sensitivity and respect during the process;

· Speedy trial free from premeditated delay, with a strong case presentation support to the public prosecutor;

· Access to the right to be informed of proceedings and events in the criminal justice process, including the release or escape of the offender, legal rights and remedies, access to records, referrals, and other information;

·  Protection from intimidation and harassment from the accused and accused’s family;

·  Through the above interventions ensure that the victim is less burdened with procedures of criminal justice system, and that her lack of knowledge of the criminal justice system is not a handicap to obtain justice.

 Confidence to victims to be able to move on life: 

Through Majlis’ Social Support programme access a network of services and support like:

·  medical and psychological counseling

·  child care services to minimise the victim’s loss of income/opportunities due to her participation in the criminal justice process 

·  shelter, education, vocational training, jobs, etc

·  Access to victim compensation schemes - Manodhairya a government compensation scheme to compensate victims of violent crimes and to reimburse their expenses relating to redressal of the crime;