Team Goemkarponn
DABOLIM: Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho on Monday facilitated a unique initiative to provide free transport to victims of crime, particularly women and children from remote parts of Goa, who are required to travel to courts.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between Goa Miles and Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) Goa in the presence of Godinho and Panjim Mayor Rohit Monserrate. Under the agreement, Goa Miles will provide free taxi services to victims travelling to courts and back, while maintaining confidentiality regarding their identities and cases.
Godinho described the initiative as a first-of-its-kind in the country, saying it would provide crucial support to victims, especially those living in remote villages.
“This is a very important MOU signed by Goa Miles with SCAN Goa and it is a unique initiative because women and children victims of crime in remote villages will get support to travel to court and back. This is a unique initiative pushed by Panjim Mayor Rohit Monserrate and it is the first of its kind in the country where help in terms of transport is being provided in remote villages across Goa. All the costs will be borne by these companies and not by the victims,” Godinho said.
He thanked Monserrate for pushing the initiative and bringing the stakeholders together to make the arrangement possible.
Monserrate also thanked Godinho, Goa Miles and SCAN Goa for supporting victims of crime, stressing that transportation should not become a reason for justice to be delayed or denied.
An official from SCAN Goa said the organisation has been working since 2019 with children in conflict with law, children requiring care and protection, as well as women facing violence. The organisation works closely with the Goa Police and the judicial system through a team of counsellors, lawyers and social workers.
“We work very closely with the judicial system and Goa Police. We have a team of counsellors, lawyers and social workers who provide assistance in cases reported to us by Goa Police. We work through the entire process with the police and courts and are also present with victims when they come to court to depose,” the official said.
The official said transportation had remained a major gap in the support system. Although courts may provide ‘bhatta’ towards travel expenses, the amount is often not received by victims or their accompanying family members.
The official cited the example of a child from a remote part of Canacona who may have to take multiple buses to reach Panjim, where Goa’s only Children’s Court and POCSO Court are located.
“Travel itself is a trauma,” the official said, adding that the MOU would ensure victims can travel safely and free of cost from their residence to court and back.
