70% callers in HSR seeking counselling are students
A women and child safety helpline in BTM Layout receives an average of 10 calls a day, 70% of whom are students. According to the helpline officials, the biggest problems they face is addiction to smartphones, losing interest in studies and getting involved in love affairs.
In rare cases involving warring adult couples who don’t listen to them, such people are referred to the helpline located inside the police commissioner’s office on Infantry Road. “So far, this has happened in about a dozen cases where either the people coming to us are highly educated and adamant or people with tremendous influence,” says Thamar SM, the helpline founder. “Such individuals are sent to the commissioner’s office, so they fear the law more.”
Most cases involving adults are about infidelity and personality classes between couples. “We offer legal guidance on the phone and counselling the wife and husband in person,” says Thamar about this free service. “We have one counsellor and one person who fields the phone calls.” They publicise this free service through pamphlets, but it’s largely word of mouth. A face to face counselling session can last between 30 minutes to two hours, according to him. Counsellor Meena had earlier worked with the Santvana Kendra, a government non-profit in BTM Layout.
HELPLINE
108/6, First floor, Tavarekere Main Road, near Balaji theatre (Off Forum Mall Road, behind Christ University
Phone: 91084-45555
Alternative number: Bangalore City Police: 100 (they will direct you to area-wise NGOs.