160 OSCCs nationwide to help sexual violence victims

Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE Sin Chew Daily

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 8 (Sin Chew Daily) The One Stop Crisis Centre (OSCC) has 160 branches nationwide today since it was initiated by Hospital Kuala Lumpur (KLGH) Emergency and Trauma Department head Datuk Sri Abu Hassan in 1993.

"The OSCC provides a highly personalised service to help victims of violence," he said.

He was very sympathetic to the victims at that time as they were required to receive medical examination with complicated procedures after making a police report. Therefore, he believed that setting up a one-stop centre would be the best way to alleviate their sufferings.

There is a physical examination room, counselling room, pantry and evidence gathering room in the OSCC and plainclothes police officers will also take statements from the victims in the centre.

In addition, the OSCC is also set in a secretive private space to serve the purpose of protecting the victims' privacy.

"Some victims chose not to make police report as they were feared that their reputation might be damaged and thus, we have plainclothes police officers here so that others wouldn't know their identities," he said.

He told Sin Chew Daily that in general, victims will be accompanied by police officers and social workers or non-governmental organisation representatives when they are at the OSCC for medical examination and statement taking.

Abu Hassan said that the OSCC emphasises much on training medical staff, particularly in strengthening their gender sensitivity.

"They need to counsel and calm the emotions of the victims and thus, they must know what can be said and what cannot be said.

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160 OSCCs nationwide to help sexual violence victims