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.
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:
The nature of help rendered:
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.
Assist us
There is a need to increase our network of volunteers and we would be happy for any
assistance that you can offer.
A B O U T D I G N I T Y
S U P P O R T C A U S E
S U P P O R T H A R D W O R K
S U P P O R T D E D I C A T I O N
S E R V I C E S
LIVING
ARRANGEMENTS
CHAPTERS IN
CITIES
THE 50+
PUBLICATIONS
THE CATALYSTS
D I G N I T Y H E L P L I N E
Mumbai +91- 22- 23898078 . Chennai +91- 44-26473165 . Kolkata
+91- 33-24741314
Dignity Foundation, BMC School Building, Topiwala Lane, Opp. Lamington Road Police Station, Mumbai 400 007. India.
Telephone: 23898079 / 23841845 / 23814356 · Fax: 23898082 · Email: dignity@vsnl.com
Site Maintained by Think Technology Services