Dignity Helpline started as a telephonic extension to the Dignity
Companionship service. The nature of emergency help for elders in difficult circumstances
has changed the functioning of the Helpline. It is today dedicated exclusively
for the help and rescue of older persons. Distress calls from elders seeking
assistance are handled by a qualified social worker. Everyday Helpline receives
8-10 calls of elders who are being abused, harassed, neglected, or denied
their rights. The trouble may be with their children, relatives, neighbours,
institutions, etc.
The nature of help rendered:
Volunteers
Volunteers trained in social skills and basic counselling are sent to the senior
citizen's residence on a fact-finding mission. Thereafter, appropriate assistance
is provided to the aggrieved caller. Dignity volunteers found that in many cases
their counselling by itself was not enough. Other types of additional assistance
are often required for an effective and speedy redressal of grievances. The following
referral network has been put in place to deal with the above problems:
Legal aid
Lawyer's help to advice Dignity Foundation as well as the victim on matters
relating to property, will, nomination, transfer, name change etc.
A group of lawyers are available at regular intervals for consultation to
the distressed parent/s.
Assistance has also been provided in successfully bringing to the notice
of the High Court the agony suffered by the aggrieved parent/s who have filed
cases of harassment, trespass, etc. but had not had a hearing for as long as
twenty years.
Legal assistance is also provided in the form of informative articles which
find a regular place in the magazine Dignity Dialogue published every month.
Reconciliation forum
It has been set up with a view to expediting the solution
to legal problems and helping the parties avoid expensive and time-consuming
litigation. The forum consists of retired members of the higher judiciary,
civil and police service and a psychiatrist / psychologist / counsellor and
social worker. The forum meets to study selected cases presented by Dignity
Foundation after all possible channels of negotiation have been exhausted
by the Foundation volunteers & staff.
These are usually cases which could have a conclusion and benefit from advice
and pressure from an eminent group of persons.
Police assistance
The Police Commissioner's Office in Mumbai and Chennai have directed all the
police stations in Mumbai and Chennai that elder abuse cases brought in by
the Dignity Foundation volunteers need to be attended to on top priority. This
has already proved very successful. Children / relatives have, in most cases,
been effectively prevented from inflicting mental and physical torture on their
parents
Police help to warn the errant "child" to treat the parent better.
Police authority is also used to provide emergency assistance and rescue
from imminent abuse.
The second move by the police in Mumbai has been to request the Foundation
to institute Chapter Case proceedings with the help of the Asst. Police Commissioners
who have special magisterial powers to bind the errant son/daughter/caretaker
to good conduct.
Psychological Assistance
A Psychiatrist's / Psychotherapist's/ Counsellor's help is sought for dealing
with the psychological problems that are common among the abused parents or
in helping the parent cope better with the circumstances. Clinical assessments
are made on the basis of which recommendations are given.
DIGNITY OFFICE ADDRESSES
Dignity Foundation Mumbai:
BMC School Building, Topiwala Lane, Grantroad (EAST), Mumbai-400007
Tel: 022-2381 4356/ 2384 1845, Fax: 23898082, Email: dignity@vsnl.com
Dignity Bangalore Network
2992, 2nd Main, 17th Cross, BSK 2nd Stage, off K R Road, Bangalore 560 070
Tel: 080 41511307, Email: dignity.jp@gmail.com
Dignity Ahemadabad Network
C 501, Sumadhar Flats, Near Azad Society, Ambawadi, Ahemadabad 380 015
Tel: 079-65250350, Email: ahmedabad.dignity@gmail.com
MUMBAI HEAD OFFICE: Dignity Foundation, BMC School Bld, Topiwala Lane, Grant Road, Mumbai 400 007. INDIA.
Tel: 022-2389 8079; 022-2384 1845 Email: dignity@vsnl.comLocate Us
