Government to expand one-stop crisis centres to 37 medical colleges

The government has initiated plans to establish one-stop crisis centres at 37 government medical colleges to expand services and ensure rapid assistance for women and children facing violence.

Women and Children Affairs Minister AZM Zahid Hossain announced the development in parliament today (10 June). He was responding to an urgent notice from ruling party lawmaker Nipun Roy Chowdhury.

The minister noted that the initiative began during former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia's tenure. Starting with eight old medical colleges, the programme expanded to six more, totalling 14 centres. Currently, 15 centres operate nationwide.

The centres provide integrated services including medical treatment, legal aid, forensic and DNA testing, and rehabilitation. Each centre requires 22 trained personnel, including doctors, nurses, police officers, clinical psychologists and legal officers.

To date, these centres have served 81,928 individuals. This includes 49,767 victims of physical violence, 31,596 victims of sexual assault and 565 burn victims.

Additionally, 95 one-stop crisis cells operate across 30 districts and 65 upazila health complexes. The government plans to expand these to all 64 districts and eventually to all upazilas.

These cells have been renamed "quick response teams". Their core objective is to stand by victims immediately, bring perpetrators to justice and ensure swift support.

During a supplementary question, lawmaker Nipun Roy Chowdhury highlighted alarming statistics. She noted that most victims remain silent due to social pressure. She also pointed out limited public awareness of the 109 national helpline, 999 and one-stop crisis centres.

In response, the minister said there is no alternative to building a national awareness movement against violence. The ministry will engage adolescent clubs, public representatives, teachers and religious leaders from central to union levels.

The minister added that preventing violence requires multi-stakeholder collaboration beyond a single ministry. The government has taken steps to keep the 109 helpline active and resolve staff salary issues.

He expressed hope that expanding services, scaling up quick response teams and running widespread awareness programmes will achieve effective progress in preventing violence against women and children.