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Bangladesh's government intends to expand comprehensive support for victims of violence by establishing One-Stop Crisis Centres (OCCs) in all 37 government medical colleges. Women and Children Affairs Minister AZM Zahid Hossain announced the plan, aiming to meet the existing demand for services and broaden their reach.

These centers offer integrated support, including medical care, psychological counseling, legal advice, safe shelter, and rehabilitation. Currently, 15 medical colleges host OCCs, complemented by 95 One-Stop Crisis Cells located in district and upazila health complexes. The initiative aims to provide a holistic approach to addressing the needs of survivors.

The announcement came in response to a notice raised in parliament, where MP Nipun Roy Chowdhury highlighted alarming statistics. A 2024 survey indicated that 76 percent of women in Bangladesh have experienced violence from a husband or intimate partner, with 62 percent never disclosing these experiences. Minister Zahid noted that OCCs, initially launched in eight medical colleges, have grown and are staffed by a dedicated team of 22 personnel per center, including doctors, nurses, police officers, and specialists.

Since their inception, the OCCs have served 81,928 individuals. This includes 49,767 survivors of physical assault, 31,596 survivors of sexual violence, and 565 burn victims, underscoring the critical need for these support services.

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This will expand the scope of services and address the demand that exists.