ARCHITECTURE THAT EMPOWERS

SANCTUARY FOR DOMESTIC ABUSED AND MARITAL RAPE VICTIMS

KHADIJA SHAFQAT

LOCAL CASE STUDY

SHAHEED BENAZIR BHUTTO CENTER FOR WOMEN, ISLAMABAD
LOCATION

Street 4, H-8/1 H 8/1 H-8, Islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory

Vision

The Ministry of Human Rights is managing and operating Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Human
Rights Centre for Women in Islamabad.Victims of violence can share their sufferings in strict
confidentiality with volunteers and social of pain and humiliation. The Centers is equipped with
facilities including free medical, legal, and Shelter Home.

Mission

Violence against women is intolerable and calls for your support in combating the passive
acceptance of this crime. Let us make a beginning by changing perceptions. “Zero tolerance
violence against women”

Objectives

 Medical Aid
 Legal Aid
 Social Counseling
 Community Meeting
 Psychological Counseling
 Investigation of case of Violence
 Rehabilitation through skill training
 Establishing linkages with law enforcing/agencies/
  police complaint cells

.Activities

 Media Talks
 Awareness Raising
 SessionOut Reach
 Visits.
 Community Meeting.

Services of Shelter Home

Shelter Home is designed to increase victim and child safety, promote batterer accountability and
effect positive change in the perception of domestic violence within the community. Services are
aimed at addressing the spectrum of domestic violence by providing immediate safety and
shelter and psycho-educational counseling as well as advocacy and education. Strategically
focused programs have been developed that address those issues which, when resolved, allow
clients to move forward with their lives.Women are seeking temporary accommodation for three
months in shelters for reasons other than abuse. These include housing problems, legal issues,
rehabilation, medical problems and mental health issues. There are currently 50 beds in the
Shelter Home for domestic violance survivors. Trainings are offered to build client support
systems and strengthen family units. Shelters meet the basic needs of families with food, clothing
and emergency funds as needed. To foster self- sufficiency, all programmes are required to
provide child care services, vocational counseling and referral for special needs.
Services Available in Shelter Home

Shelter home provides temporary accommodation to women and children. Provision of

free accommodation, food and other basic necessities. Medical aid is provided. Legal aid
is provided. To provide education to the survivor children. To impart professional
vocational training. Job counseling to the shelter survivors. Social counseling to
maintain relationships to adjust in society. Psychological counseling to overcome
depression, anxiety and stress of trauma. Individual counseling to those who need attention
and confidentiality from others. Daily group-sessions and physical exercise to cope up with
psychological problems. Group counseling to provide guidance, encouragement, challenge and
inspiration to the clients in managing and resolving practical, personal and relationship issues
achieving goals and self-realization. Investigation of cases of violence and case history.
Family counseling for reconciliation. Rehabilitation of survivors of violence and women in
distress.

Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Human Rights Centers for Women were working under Federal
Government but after 18th amendment these centers have been adopted by Punjab Government,
Social Welfare Department in 2014. There are a total 12 centers working in Bahawalpur, Dera
Ghazi Khan, Faisalabad, Muzaffargarh, Khushab, Lahore, Multan, Rawalpindi, Sahiwal,
Mianwali, Sialkot and Vehari. The centers are established with the objective to protect women
against all forms of violence and to eliminate every type of discrimination against women.
Eligibility Criteria

Women who are victim of violence can get information regarding referral services.

Facilities

Crisis Centers provide:

 Temporary shelter to victims of violence in emergencies

 Medical/ first aid to women in distress
 Free legal assistance/ aid to women in distress
 Free social, psychological and legal counseling to the women
 Liaison with agencies competent to redress grievances of women at individual and
collective levels, especially those concerned with combating violence against women