The cardinal requirement of a helpline is to offer help to those in need via telephone. If anyone telephones a helpline number, they receive help from the other end. There are various kinds of helplines, some for emergencies, information, counseling, etc. They are usually set up by the administration of the government in the country, although many NGOs also have their own helpline programs. Helpline numbers are consulted when a person cannot get quick physical help and have a short span of time in an emergency or trouble.
Statistically, women make use of helplines to help them through emergencies, intimate information, advice, or requirements, more than men. They are then helped anonymously without getting their identities revealed. Helplines are usually accessible across the country through a single toll-free number. A woman in distress or in difficult circumstances or somebody on her behalf can call these toll-free numbers to reach a responder appointed to provide assistance. Based on the immediacy and the requirements explained by the women, the responder then refers her to relevant support services like medical aid, police assistance, or connect her to a one-stop center for professional counseling, shelter, legal aid, etc.
The Objective of Women Helpline Numbers:
- To provide toll-free 24-hours telecom service to women who are victims of violence and abuse, to receive information, or to facilitate crisis and non-crisis intervention through referral to the appropriate agencies such as police/hospitals/ambulance/District Legal Service Authority (DLSA)/Protection Officer (PO)/OSC.
- To provide information about the appropriate services provided, government schemes and programs available to the woman affected by violence within the local area in which she resides or is employed. If the women need protection or are in critical need of clinical help, then the PCR van from the closest police headquarters or emergency vehicle from the closest Medical Clinic/108 Assistance/One-Stop Center (whichever is nearer) would be dispatched. If the woman needs any data about the laws and existing plans of the government about the particular issue, it will be provided to her by the closest One-Stop Center.
Women Helpline Numbers:
Women Helpline (all India) -Women in Distress | 1091 |
| Women Helpline Domestic Abuse | 181 |
| Police | 100 |
| Student/Child helpline | 1098 |
| National Human Rights Commission | 011-23385368, 9810298900 |
| Shakti Shalini (N.G.O.) Women Shelter, Support Survivors, Counsellinghttps://shaktishalini.org/ | 011-24373737011-2437373610920 |
| National Commission for Women | 011-23237166, 23234918 |
All India women’s Conference(Emancipation, Education, and Empowerment of Women across 10 States)http://www.aiwc.org.in/ | 011- 23389680 011-23381165 |
| Sneha NGO (If you know a survivor or anyone facing violence, seek help.) Centre Timings (Mon to Sat, 10 am to 6 pm)https://snehamumbai.org/ | Crisis Helpline: 9833052684, 9167535765 |
| Pratidhi (Legal Help) One-Stop Crisis Centre at Kem Hospital: | 011-22527259022-24100511 |
| Jagori | 011-26692700 |
| Saarthak | 011-26853846/ 26524061 |
| Nari Raksha Samiti | 011-23973949 |
| Lawyers Collective Women’s Rights (Domestic Violence Cases) | 011-24373993/ 24372923 |
