Malappuram (Kerala), March 10 A 53-year-old woman from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, who was found alone in Tirur, Kerala, has been reunited with her family with the assistance of the Sakhi One Stop Centre, officials said on Tuesday.
The Sakhi One Stop Centre, functioning under the Department of Women and Child Development with assistance from the Union government, provides support services to women and children facing violence or distress.
The UP woman, identified as Shameena alias Kamalesh, was found within the limits of the Tirur police station here on February 27.
Following directions from the authorities, including the jail superintendent in Manjeri and the district women protection officer, she was shifted to the Sakhi Centre for care and assistance, an official statement said.
Officials said the centre later coordinated with authorities in Uttar Pradesh through the women's helpline 181 to trace the woman's relatives.
Her family members were identified and contacted through video conferencing, during which they confirmed her identity. Officials later verified the details using identification documents.
The woman was safely sent back to her hometown on March 6 along with her son Rahul, officials said.
The Sakhi One Stop Centre offers round-the-clock services, including counselling, legal assistance, medical aid and temporary shelter to women facing mental, physical, sexual or financial abuse, officials said.
Malappuram District Women Protection Officer T M Shruthi said the centre has been able to ensure rehabilitation and psychological support for many women due to its structured monitoring system.
The women protection office functions at the Civil Station in Malappuram, while the Sakhi One Stop Centre operates from Perinthalmanna, the statement added.