Post News Network
Cuttack, Oct 3: Just a few years ago, they had families, homes and a social life bubbling with zest. But now, the dull premises of the mental health department of Sriram Chandra Bhanj Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH) are the only addresses they have for their solitary lives.
No longer recognised and loved as the daughter or sister or wife of anyone, these rape victims and destitute women mostly live wooden lives, cut off from the bustle of human relations. They even have no idea if the perpetrators of the heinous crimes against them were brought to justice. Hardly anybody comes visiting from their homes, too.
Among such inmates is a woman rescued by Balichandrapur police in Jajpur in July 2013. She was found lying unconscious near Raipur Square and admitted to SCBMCH after a medical test confirmed she was gang-raped. She has been spending a colourless life at the hospital even though those accused of gang-raping her are moving freely after getting bails from a local court in Jajpur, said sources. The woman tries to hide herself under a bed whenever she sees a man nearby.
Similarly, another gang-rape victim admitted to the department in a critical condition three years ago is yet to come out of the trauma. According to hospital staff, she used to cry aloud at midnight, but no longer. Neither the hospital authorities nor police have information regarding her family and relatives.
Apart from these rape victims, around 20 destitute women have been admitted to the department either by police or social activists. These women are not sure where to go once the hospital authorities discharge them. “Several rape victims and sexually exploited women have been disowned by their families. There are instances of even family members have admitted sexually exploited or raped women to the mental health department by terming them as destitute,” said a hospital staffer on condition of anonymity.
Mental health department chief Nilamadhab Rath said, “We are planning to keep a record of the addresses and identity proofs of people who bring any sexually exploited woman or destitute woman to the department.”
