If you or someone else is in danger, call 999 now.
If you need to know how to report domestic violence in Dubai when there is no emergency, use the channels the UAE government lists, including:
- the Community Development Authority;
- the Ministry of Interior;
- and the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children.
The law also tells the authorities what to do once they receive a report.
The rules are in Federal Decree-Law No. 13 of 2024 on the Protection Against Domestic Violence, which replaced the 2019 law. Read the decree-law on the UAE legislation portal.
Quick Answer
To report domestic violence in Dubai, call 999 if there is immediate danger. For non-emergency assistance, the UAE government lists the Ministry of Interior at 116111, the Community Development Authority at 800988, and the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children at 800111.
Under Federal Decree-Law No. 13 of 2024, the competent authorities must handle reports promptly, assess protection needs and refer relevant cases to the Public Prosecution. Protection orders and shelter arrangements may be available. Preserve evidence where safe, but do not put yourself at risk to collect documents.
How to Report Domestic Violence in Dubai Through Official Channels
The law lets the victim report, and it requires anyone who becomes aware of an incident to report it promptly (Article 5). The report goes to the Ministry of Community Development, the competent authority or a social support center. If the act is physical or sexual violence, the police must also be told.
| If | Report To | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Danger now, or any crime | Police, on 999 | UAE government portal |
| Violence or abuse of a woman or child | Ministry of Interior, on 116111 | UAE government portal |
| Violence or abuse of a woman or child, in Dubai | Community Development Authority, on 800988, or the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, on 800111 | UAE government portal |
| Domestic violence generally | The channels on the Ministry of Community Development’s website, which the portal links to | UAE government portal |
| Physical or sexual violence | The police station, as well as the ministry or authority | Decree-Law, Art 5 |
The government’s crime and safety page carries these numbers. Check it before you call, because hotlines can change.
What the Authorities Must Do After a Report
The ministry, the authority and the social support center must act promptly. Article 6 lists the steps.
- Record the report in the official register, with the reporter’s name and the details of the incident.
- Take the measures needed to protect the victim, including a place in a shelter or with a relative.
- Hear the parties and witnesses, including children, in a private setting, and document their statements.
- Refer the victim to a healthcare facility, which prepares a medical report.
- Write a report on the incident, attach the medical report, and send it at once to the Public Prosecution. It recommends either a criminal case or time for reconciliation.
Need Guidance After Reporting Domestic Violence?
Leaders Advocates can discuss reporting procedures, relevant documents, protection orders and the legal process that may follow. If you are in immediate danger, contact emergency services first.
Protection, Reconciliation and What Can Follow
- The Public Prosecution can issue a protection order on its own, or at the victim’s request or a center’s. It lasts up to 30 days, extendable for two similar periods, and the court can extend it to six months (Articles 8 and 9).
- The order can bar contact and bar the offender from your home and workplace. It can refer you to a shelter if you consent, and require the offender to pay support and medical costs (Article 11). A request for a restraining order is exempt from court fees (Article 10).
- Anyone affected by the order can appeal within 7 days of becoming aware of it (Article 12).
- Family reconciliation is offered within 14 days of the report if both sides agree. It cannot be offered if the act is a felony (Article 13). Penal reconciliation also needs both sides’ consent (Article 14).
- The offence carries imprisonment and a fine of up to AED 50,000, or either (Article 21). It is aggravated where the victim is:
- a child;
- a pregnant woman;
- a person over 60;
- or a person with disabilities.
For more on the application process, read our guide to how to get a restraining order in Dubai.
Your Name, False Reports and Pressure to Withdraw
The law protects the reporter and punishes misuse of the process.
- The identity of the person reporting cannot be disclosed unless judicial procedures require it, and then only by the public prosecutor or his delegate (Article 5).
- Disclosing confidential case data, or the victim’s identity, by someone who learns of it through work, is punishable by imprisonment and/or a fine of at least AED 20,000 (Article 24).
- Failing to report, or filing a false or malicious report, carries a fine of AED 5,000 to AED 10,000 (Article 22).
- Using force or threats to make a victim withdraw a report carries imprisonment and a fine of AED 10,000 to AED 50,000, or either (Article 25).
If you are unsure what to do next, you can speak to our lawyers on WhatsApp or through the Contact Us page. Our guide on whether domestic violence is a crime in the UAE explains the offence in more detail.
Have Questions About a Domestic Violence Report or Protection Order?
Speak with Leaders Advocates about the legal process, available protection measures, confidentiality and the options for addressing threats or pressure. For immediate danger, call 999 rather than waiting for a legal consultation.
Evidence to Keep Safely
Keep what you can without putting yourself at risk. These records help the investigation and any court case.
- Medical reports and photos of injuries, with dates.
- Messages, voice notes and call logs that show threats or abuse.
- The report reference number and the name of the authority that took your report.
- Names of people who saw the incident or know of it.
- Copies of any protection order and notices you receive.
Need Advice About Safely Preserving Evidence?
Ask Leaders Advocates which documents may be relevant, how to preserve records without alteration and how to share sensitive information securely. Do not place yourself at risk to collect evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
For the psychological harm topic, see our guide to emotional abuse and domestic violence in UAE law.
Relevant Legal Services
To talk through your options, speak to our lawyers on WhatsApp or use the Contact Us page. See our family lawyers and criminal litigation lawyers.
Related Legal Guidance
Need Legal Guidance After Reporting Domestic Violence in Dubai?
Contact Leaders Advocates to discuss reporting procedures, protection orders, evidence, case confidentiality and available legal options. If you are in immediate danger, call 999 first.
