Dial H for Hell-line!
Sunday MiD DAY reporters Vedika Tripathi and
Alisha Coelho got different responses to the distress calls they made to women’s helplines
on Women’s Day
yesterday
By: vedika.tripathi@mid-day.com
Sunday MiD DAY calls a few random helplines for women and discovers, on Women’s Day, that most just offer lip service. Reporters Vedika and Alisha called up
nine helplines, speaking in Hindi and English respectively to determine whether they were of any help, and if language played a role in assistance offered. Ratings were given on the basis of the confidence the counselors inspired in the callers.
Indu Shahani’s Women’s Violence Helpline 1298
Problem: Husband and
in-laws are physically and mentally abusing me.
V (in Hindi): Can someone help me?
1298: (operator) Please hold the line ma’am and don’t worry. I’ll transfer the call to counselor Divya.
Divya: We’ll help you but where do you live? (Call gets disconnected)
V: I stay at Dadar but if my in-laws find out about this, I’ll be abused more.
D: No one will find out. (Call is disconnected for the second time)
1298: I will give you Divya’s direct number. You can call there.
Verdict: 6/10
A (in English): Can someone help me?
1298: (operator) Please hold the line ma’am. I’ll transfer the call
T: I am social worker Tripti. Don’t worry please visit our office at the commissioner’s headquarters on Monday morning.
A: What if I need to speak to someone tomorrow?
T: This is my cell number. I will inform the office that you are coming. We’ll find you work and give you support. Don’t feel depressed, you will be able to stand on your feet soon. Call me anytime if you need something. Right now though, I’m in the middle of a women’s day rally.
Verdict: 8/10
Mumbai Police Help line for Women 103
Problem: Physical abuse by drunken husband and harassment by in-laws
V (in Hindi): Can someone help me?
103: Have you filed a police complaint yet?
V: No, I don’t want to. It might get worse.
103: Do you want us to send you a vehicle to pick you up? Or do you want us to send police to where you are?
V: No, no. I’m very scared.
103: Try to make contact with your parents and in that time, if you experience any more abuse, we will help you in registering a complaint.
Verdict: 8/10
A (in English): Can someone help me?
103: Can you speak in Hindi?
A: No, is there someone else I can speak to?
103: No, but you can file a police complaint if you want.
A: Is there someone who’ll speak to my in-laws?
103: This is the number of the Mahila Aayog in Bandra. They will help you and can speak English.
Verdict: 4/10
Sukoon Counseling Center (SCC), Malabar Hill 23675688
Problem: College student fed up of excessive eve-teasing
V (in Hindi): Can someone help me?
SCC: There’s no one here today. Madam’s gone out of town for 15 days and this is her residence number. She operates out of home.
V: What’s her name?
SCC: Mani Sabariya.
V: Is there no one else there?
SCC: I’m her bai. Call after 15 days.
Verdict: 0/10
A (in English): Can someone help me?
SCC: Madam’s out of town. She’ll be back in 10 days.
A: Is there no one else there?
SCC: No, she works alone.
Verdict: 0/10
Aasra, Navi Mumbai 27546669
Problem: Abuse by alcoholic husband and in-laws
V (in Hindi): Can someone help me?
Aasra: We are only a suicide helpline. Have you filed a police complaint yet?
V: No, I live in Dadar.
Aasra: Go to the police station and file a complaint or call 303 (instead of 103) who will help you out. If not, call me again and we’ll try to help you.
Verdict: 3/10
A (in English): Can you help me?
Aasra: You don’t have many options. Try to do a cheap course for Rs 5,000 somewhere and stay out of the house.
A: But I love my husband, it’s only my in-laws I have trouble with.
Aasra: (amused) I don’t think that filing a case against your husband will help you. I’m sure you can spare some money and do a course. If you feel depressed or suicidal, call us again.
Verdict: 1/10
My Nation, M R Gupta 9869323538
Problem: In-laws harassing for dowry payments
V (in Hindi): Can someone help me?
MN: Where do you live?
V: Dadar
MN: Where are you from?
V: Uttar Pradesh?
MN: Where in Uttar Pradesh?
V: Allahabad
MN: What do your in laws and husband do?
V: My father-in-law is a railway motorman and my husband’s unemployed. Can you help me?
MN: Call me tomorrow; I’ll give you a number of someone in Dadar. I’m in the train now and I don’t have it on me.
Verdict: 5/10
A (in English): Can someone help me?
MN: I’m busy with some matters. Here’s the number of my colleague.
A: (new call) Can you help?
MN: Dowry is a serious matter. If you complain against your in-laws, your marriage will break.
A: I might kill myself, they’re harassing me that much
MN: Ok, I’ll give you a number of a social worker in Churchgate but I need to speak to her first. Call me back in 15 minutes.
Verdict: 4/10
National Child Helpline 1098
Problem: Husband is molesting four-year-old daughter
V (in Hindi): Can someone help me?
NCH: We need to speak to your husband.
V: He won’t agree and will beat me.
NCH: What can we do for you then?
V: I don’t know and that’s why I’ve called.
NCH: Have you filed a complaint with the police?
V: No I’m scared.
NCH: We’ll need to speak to your child and then we can meet personally.
Verdict: 2/10
A (in English): Can someone help me?
NCH: Have you filed a complaint?
A: No, my in-laws and parents don’t believe me.
NCH: Where is the child now?
A: She’s at a friend’s place and I’ve left home.
NCH: Please call our city co-ordinator Amruta immediately. We will be able to counsel the child and register a case against your husband immediately then.
Verdict: 9/10
Mava Counselling Center 24360631
Problem: Abuse by in-laws
V (in Hindi): Can someone help me?
MCC: Call on Monday.
V: I need to speak to someone now.
MCC: Please call our main counsellor Harish Sadani on this mobile number.
(Harish Sadani is unreachable.)
Verdict: 0/10
A (in English): Can someone help me?
MCC: All our volunteers are in Pune for Woman’s day. I’ll transfer you to Harish Sadani’s number though.
A: (new call) Can you help?
MCC: I’m in Pune right now but I will give you the number of a counselor in Churchgate who will be able to advise you properly.
Verdict: 7/10
Swadhar 10920
Problem: Sexual harassment by brother-in-law
V (in Hindi): Can someone help me?
Swadhar: I’m Kiran. Have you told your husband about this problem yet?
V: Yes, but he doesn’t care.
Swadhar: Don’t worry and I don’t understand why your husband is silent. Try to speak to your parents or tell your in-laws.
V: I can’t tell my parents. They’ll be worried. I’m very scared.
Swadhar: Try to visit your parents and break the news to them gently. I’m sure something good will happen. But don’t take this abuse lightly and call me if you need anything.
Verdict: 9/10
A (in English): Can someone help me?
Swadhar: It’s good that you didn’t encourage your brother-in-law but you need to move out immediately or else he can take advantage of you.
A: But I have no one in this city.
Swadhar: Tell your parents and get some support. Filing a police case means that you won’t be able to go back home, but if you have support then things will work out. I will be in touch with you; call me if you need anything.
Verdict: 8/10
Mahila Rescue Foundation, Kandivali 28060707
Problem: Physical abuse by husband because of
dowry issues
V (in Hindi): Can someone help me?
MRF: Go to a police station and register a complaint.
V: I don’t want to my husband might beat me more
MRF: Tomorrow’s a holiday. Come on Monday to Kandivali or Borivali station, take a rickshaw for Rs 9. Everyone knows where the place is. You’ll also get a job if you want.
V: Thank you. What is your name?
MRF: Never mind my name. You’ll meet me first in any case.
Verdict: 4/10
A (in English): Can someone help me?
MRF: Speak in Hindi
A: My Hindi’s not good. Can I speak to someone in English please?
MRF: Today no one. All staff picnic.
A: Is there no one else there?
MRF: Aaj NO. Tomorrow NO. Monday YES. You come then.
A: Thank you. What is your name?
MRF: Yakub Khan.
Verdict: 2/10
Alisha Coelho and Vedika Tripathi make calls to helplines