Justice to Survivor of GBV

Since 1998, RJVS has actively supported survivors of gender-based violence in accessing justice, healing, rehabilitation ensuring their rightful place in family and society.

Rajsamand is a tribal area with more than 80% tribal population. OBC constitutes the majority share of this tribal population and it is these caste groups where more social aberrations related to gender based violence are found including family disputes / witch hunting, land disputes and related cases of violence.The worst case is that on account of lack of awareness the violence against women (VAW) is considered normal. Further those who are severe victims of violence do not know what to do and where to go. Going to police will often be considered derogatory and only in extreme cases few women take support of police /courts.

At Rajsamand Jan Vikas Sansthan (RJVS), we consider violence against women and adolescent girls not just a personal issue, but an expression of deep-rooted social aberration and evil created out of our patriarchal nature of community. Lack of education (Only 48% in women ) and consumption of excessive alcohol aggravates the situation even further. Our commitment is to provide counseling services while ensuring easy access, dignity, safety, to and justice for the survivors within their own communities, with empathy and accountability.

RJVS implements this initiative through three modes as below:

 NAARI ADALAT:or all women’s court, which has become a BRAND for RJVS is having 12-15 women members who hears the cases, investigates at site for fact finding and counsels both the parties for an amicable agreement. Such facilities are located at Rajsamand district which serves 5 blocks surrounding it.

Based on the successful operation and encouraging response to Rajsamand NAARI ADALAT from nearby blocks we created another NAARI ADALAT centre at “Kitela “ during Oct 2023 which is central to Bhim/ Devgarh and Kumbhalgarh which were far off from Rajsamand and the number of cases reported from these blocks were very low . Simultaneously awareness regarding VAW is being created in surrounding communities and increasing trends of footfalls are encouraging.

 Mahila Suraksha avam Salah Kendra (Women safety & counselling centre): Since 2015, RJVS has been operating a dedicated Government sponsored Mahila Suraksha avam Salah Kendra (MSSK - within Women police stations — earlier in the Women’s Police Station at Rajsamand (till 2022), and currently at the Gangapur–Sahada Police Station in Bhilwara district.

Expanding Access to Justice in Remote Areas: Nari Adalat in Bhim & Kumbhalgarh.

In the remote, hilly, and forested regions of Bhim and Kumbhalgarh blocks of Rajsamand district, women faced domestic violence, social discrimination, and exploitation — but their access to justice through centre at district headquarter remained extremely limited due to long distance, lack of transportation and lack of awareness while legal systems that are complex, intimidating, and time-consuming.

RJVS used these barriers as an opportunity for intervention. With this vision, RJVS gradually began to introduce the concept of Nari Adalat (Women’s Court) in these underserved areas. We focused on building local women leadership, engaging the community, and creating a space where women could not only speak up, but also stand together in solidarity.

These efforts are helping bring justice closer — not just geographically, but emotionally and socially — to the women who need it most.

Key Community-Based Structures:

 Nari Adalat (Women’s Court):Nari Adalat is a community-led, very popular BRAND initiative of RJVS with an alternative justice system run by women as judges for women. These local courts offer survivors a safe space to speak freely, without fear / hesitation or pressure.

So far, RJVS has organized 500+ Nari Adalats, where 2,152 cases were registered, and 1,961 were resolved through counselling and creating mutual understanding and community-based dialogue. These forums not only offer resolution but also restore the survivor's voice, identity, and confidence.

Mahila Suraksha avam Salah Kendra: Since 2015, RJVS has been operating a dedicated Government sponsored Mahila Suraksha avam Salah Kendra (MSSK - Women safety & counselling centre) within Women police stations — earlier in the Women’s Police Station at Rajsamand (till 2022), and currently at the Gangapur–Sahada Police Station in Bhilwara district.

These centers function with support from the Department of Women Empowerment, Govt. of Rajasthan and the Rajasthan Police.To date, over 1,000+ cases have been resolved through these centers, offering immediate counseling, legal guidance, and mediation in sensitive cases of domestic or sexual violence. Thousands of women have accessed support through these centers. Many cases are even referred by district Administration, Police, courts and even Auto Rikshas.

 By district Administration24x7 Helpline Service (9216767584):RJVS runs a helpline that operates and provides support 24x7, ensuring that any woman or girl in crisis can reach out at any time. Many women have already been supported through this service, which offers crisis response, guidance, and connection to legal or police help. Every call is treated with confidentiality, compassion, and respect.

We believe courtrooms / police stations do not provide a sensitive conducive, safe space, inclusive and fearless environment for survivors of VAW where they can not share everything that had happened with them while being at ease due to the presence of male officers / judges. Justice must be easily accessible, sensitive, and embedded in the community itself. Our grassroots models bring justice closer to the people — making it more responsive, inclusive, and empowering for every survivor.

  Eradicating Witch-Hunting (Daayan Pratha): In many rural and tribal areas of Rajasthan, women—often widows, elderly, or from marginalized communities—face violence and social exclusion after being branded as witches.

Rajsamand Jan Vikas Sansthan (RJVS) works to end this injustice by raising awareness, providing legal aid to victims, ensuring rehabilitation, and advocating for strict law enforcement. Our efforts have helped women regain their dignity, seek justice, and reintegrate into their communities, creating safer and more inclusive villages where such cases have now virtually disappeared.