Challenges Experienced by One Stop Center Counselors in Supporting Women Facing Gender-based Violence during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: Service providers supporting women facing gender-based violence (GBV) encountered several challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic due to lockdowns and restrictions. Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to understand the experiences of GBV management among counselors at 28 One-Stop Centers (OSCs) in a state in South India. Materials and Methods: A qualitative research design was adopted. Data was collected from 28 OSC counselors across 28 districts of Karnataka using a convenience sampling method. Results: Key themes identified included challenges faced by OSC counselors, help-seeking behaviors of adolescent girls, mental health issues among women seeking support, and remote assistance measures despite pandemic-related constraints. The findings highlighted an increase in adolescents seeking help for sexual assault during this period. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown restrictions posed significant challenges to women’s safety and the support available to them. Policymakers should increase funding, invest in One-Stop Center (OSC) infrastructure, expand access to technology, and enhance monitoring mechanisms.