Domestic Violence Laws in UAE — Protection Orders and Rights (2026)

The UAE criminalizes domestic violence. Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2019 on Protection from Domestic Violence was a landmark reform that created a standalone legal framework for reporting, investigating, and prosecuting domestic violence in the Emirates. Before this law, victims relied on general criminal provisions — assault, battery, threats — that were not designed for the intimate-partner or family violence context. This guide explains the legal protections available, the reporting process, protection orders, shelter services, and how domestic violence affects divorce and custody proceedings. For related family law guidance, see our posts on divorce in Dubai, alimony in UAE, and child custody in UAE. For category-level guidance, visit our family lawyer hub.

What Is Domestic Violence Under UAE Law?

Domestic violence under UAE law is any act of violence, threat, or abuse — physical, psychological, sexual, or economic — committed by a family member against another family member, as defined by Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2019 on Protection from Domestic Violence, covering spouses, ex-spouses, parents, children, siblings, and anyone living in the same household regardless of the nature of their relationship. The law extends protection beyond traditional family definitions.

The 2019 law was a significant expansion of the legal definition of domestic violence. Understanding what the law covers — and who it protects — is essential for anyone seeking protection.

Types of violence covered. The law recognizes four categories:

Physical violence. Any act causing bodily harm — hitting, kicking, pushing, burning, choking, or any form of physical assault. The severity of the physical harm affects the criminal penalty but does not determine whether the act constitutes domestic violence. Even minor physical contact committed with the intent to cause harm qualifies.

Psychological violence. Threats, intimidation, verbal abuse, humiliation, controlling behaviour, isolation from family and friends, and any conduct that causes psychological harm. This is the most significant expansion from previous law — before 2019, psychological abuse was extremely difficult to prosecute.

Sexual violence. Non-consensual sexual acts between spouses or family members. The UAE's recognition of marital rape as a form of domestic violence through this law was a major development in the legal framework.

Economic violence. Withholding financial resources, controlling a family member's access to money, preventing a family member from working, or exploiting a family member's financial resources. This provision particularly protects stay-at-home spouses and dependent family members.

How Do You Report Domestic Violence in the UAE?

Domestic violence can be reported through multiple channels: calling the police (999), contacting the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children (800111), calling the Aman service in Abu Dhabi (8002626), filing a complaint at any police station, or contacting the social support centres run by the Ministry of Community Development — reports can be filed by the victim, a witness, a family member, a medical professional, or a social worker. Anonymous reporting is accepted.

The reporting system is designed to be accessible and confidential. Multiple reporting channels exist because victims may not feel safe calling the police directly.

Police (999). For immediate danger, call the police emergency line. Police are trained to respond to domestic violence calls as high-priority incidents. When officers arrive, they can remove the abuser from the home, transport the victim to safety, and initiate a criminal investigation.

Dubai Foundation for Women and Children (DFWAC). DFWAC (hotline: 800111) is the primary support organization for domestic violence victims in Dubai. It provides crisis intervention, shelter, legal assistance, counselling, and case management. DFWAC can receive reports, provide immediate safety, and coordinate with police and prosecutors.

Aman Service (Abu Dhabi). The Aman service (hotline: 8002626) operates under the Abu Dhabi Social Support Authority. It provides similar services to DFWAC for Abu Dhabi residents — crisis response, shelter, counselling, and legal assistance.

Social Support Centres. The Ministry of Community Development operates social support centres across all emirates. These centres have trained social workers who can receive domestic violence reports, provide initial counselling, and refer cases to police and prosecutors.

Who can report. The law does not limit reporting to the victim. Any person who witnesses domestic violence or has reasonable grounds to believe it is occurring can file a report. Medical professionals, teachers, and social workers have an affirmative obligation to report suspected domestic violence involving children or vulnerable adults.

Confidentiality. All reports are treated as confidential. The identity of the reporter is protected, and retaliation against a reporter is a criminal offence under the 2019 law.

What Are Protection Orders and How Do You Get One?

A protection order is a court-issued directive that prohibits the abuser from contacting, approaching, or harming the victim — obtained by filing an application with the family court or criminal court, supported by evidence of violence or threat, with the court able to issue temporary orders within 48 hours and permanent orders after a hearing. Violation of a protection order is a criminal offence carrying imprisonment and fines.

Protection orders are the primary legal mechanism for keeping victims safe while criminal proceedings are ongoing or even without criminal charges.

Types of protection orders:

• Emergency/temporary protection order. Issued within 48 hours of application, without requiring the abuser to be present (ex parte). Valid for 30 days. Can be renewed. Used when there is immediate danger.
• Permanent protection order. Issued after a hearing where both parties are heard. Valid for up to one year. Can be renewed annually.

What a protection order can require:

• The abuser must vacate the shared residence
• The abuser must stay a minimum distance from the victim's home, workplace, and children's school
• The abuser must not contact the victim directly or through third parties
• The abuser must surrender any weapons
• The abuser must attend counselling or anger management programs
• Temporary custody of children may be granted to the victim
• Temporary financial support may be ordered

How to apply. The application can be filed at the Family Court (for civil protection orders) or the Criminal Court (if criminal charges have been filed). The application should include:

• A written statement describing the violence or threats
• Any evidence: medical reports, photographs, text messages, police reports
• Witness statements, if available
• A request for specific protections needed

What Are the Criminal Penalties for Domestic Violence?

Criminal penalties for domestic violence under UAE law range from six months to 10 years imprisonment depending on the severity — with aggravating factors including violence against a pregnant woman, violence in front of children, use of a weapon, repeat offences, and violence causing permanent disability, which can increase penalties to the maximum. Fines of AED 5,000 to AED 100,000 may also be imposed.

The 2019 law works alongside the existing Penal Code. In some cases, domestic violence charges are brought under the specific provisions of the 2019 law. In others, prosecutors use the Penal Code's assault and battery provisions, which may carry heavier penalties for serious injuries.

Penalty framework under the 2019 law:

Deportation. For expatriate residents convicted of domestic violence, deportation following completion of the sentence is a likely outcome. The court can order deportation as part of the sentence, or immigration authorities can separately refuse visa renewal.

Reconciliation provisions. UAE law allows for reconciliation in some domestic violence cases — particularly misdemeanours involving minor injuries where both parties agree to reconciliation. If reconciliation is accepted by the court, the criminal case can be dropped. However, this provision is controversial, and courts are increasingly reluctant to accept reconciliation in cases involving serious or repeated violence.

How Does Domestic Violence Affect Divorce Proceedings?

Domestic violence significantly strengthens the victim's position in divorce proceedings — it constitutes grounds for fault-based divorce (which can be granted faster and with more favourable financial terms), affects alimony calculations (the victim may receive higher maintenance), impacts custody decisions (the abuser may lose custody rights), and documented violence can accelerate the divorce timeline from months to weeks. A criminal conviction is strong evidence but not required.

The intersection of domestic violence and divorce law is critical because many victims seek divorce as part of their escape from an abusive relationship.

Fault-based divorce. Under UAE Personal Status Law, domestic violence constitutes "harm" (darar) that entitles the victim to a fault-based divorce. A fault-based divorce means:

• The court assigns blame to the abuser
• The victim retains full financial rights (mahr, maintenance during iddah, compensation)
• The divorce can be granted faster than a no-fault divorce
• The victim may receive additional compensation for harm suffered

Custody implications. UAE courts prioritize the best interests of the child. A parent with a documented history of domestic violence — especially violence witnessed by children — is at a significant disadvantage in custody proceedings. Courts may:

• Deny custody to the abusive parent
• Limit visitation to supervised contact only
• Require the abusive parent to attend counselling as a condition of any visitation
• Grant sole custody to the victim parent

Alimony and financial settlement. Domestic violence can increase the alimony awarded to the victim. Courts consider the reason for divorce when calculating maintenance. A victim who was driven to divorce by violence is treated more favourably than in a mutual or no-fault divorce.

Evidence crossover. Evidence from the criminal domestic violence case — police reports, medical records, protection orders — can be used in divorce proceedings. The victim does not need to prove the violence twice. A criminal conviction creates a near-irrebuttable presumption of fault in the divorce case.

What Support Services Are Available for Victims?

The UAE provides multiple support services for domestic violence victims: government-run shelters in Dubai (DFWAC) and Abu Dhabi (Aman/Ewaa), free legal aid through legal aid centres, counselling services through social support centres, financial assistance for basic needs, assistance with visa status if the victim is dependent on the abuser's sponsorship, and dedicated prosecution units trained in domestic violence cases. Services are available in Arabic, English, and several other languages.

Support services have expanded significantly since the 2019 law was enacted. The UAE government has invested in creating a comprehensive support system.

Shelters. DFWAC in Dubai and Ewaa Shelters in Abu Dhabi provide safe accommodation for victims and their children. Shelters provide food, clothing, medical care, counselling, legal assistance, and educational support for children. The locations are confidential. Length of stay depends on the case — victims may stay for weeks or months while their legal situation is resolved.

Legal aid. Legal aid centres operated by the judiciary provide free or subsidized legal representation for domestic violence victims who cannot afford a lawyer. In Dubai, the Dubai Legal Affairs Department operates a legal aid programme. In Abu Dhabi, the Judicial Department has a similar programme. Free legal consultations are also available through several NGOs and pro bono programmes.

Visa protection. A critical concern for expat victims is visa status. If the victim is sponsored by the abuser (common in spousal sponsorship situations), leaving the abuser could jeopardize the victim's legal residence. The UAE has mechanisms to address this:

• Victims can be granted temporary residence permits while legal proceedings are ongoing
• The Ministry of Human Resources can issue a temporary work permit
• Shelters can assist with visa status applications
• In some cases, victims can transfer their sponsorship to a new employer or apply for independent residence

Counselling and mental health. Social support centres provide free counselling in multiple languages. DFWAC and Aman also provide ongoing psychological support. Private counselling is available but costly (AED 300-800 per session).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can men be victims of domestic violence under UAE law? Yes. The 2019 law is gender-neutral. Any family member can be a victim, regardless of gender. While the majority of reported cases involve female victims, the legal protections apply equally to men, and reporting channels are available to all.

Will reporting domestic violence affect my visa status if I am on my spouse's sponsorship? Reporting domestic violence will not automatically cancel your visa. The UAE authorities have mechanisms to protect victims' residence status during legal proceedings. If you are in a shelter, the shelter staff will assist with visa matters. A family lawyer can advise on transferring your sponsorship or obtaining an independent residence visa.

Can I get a protection order without filing criminal charges? Yes. A civil protection order can be obtained through the Family Court without filing a criminal complaint. However, filing a police report strengthens your protection order application and creates an official record of the violence. Your lawyer can advise on the best strategy for your specific situation.

What evidence do I need to prove domestic violence? Any evidence that supports your account: medical reports, photographs of injuries, text messages containing threats, audio or video recordings, witness statements, police reports from previous incidents, and social media posts. UAE courts accept digital evidence. You do not need to have "perfect" evidence — a consistent account supported by some corroborating evidence is often sufficient.

Is domestic violence a deportable offence? For the abuser, yes. A conviction for domestic violence can result in deportation following completion of the sentence. The court can order deportation, or immigration authorities can separately refuse visa renewal. For the victim, reporting domestic violence does not lead to deportation — the UAE distinguishes between the victim and the perpetrator.

Keep Reading

• Divorce in Dubai — Complete Guide
• Alimony in UAE — Calculation and Rights
• Child Custody in UAE
• Complete Guide to Family Lawyers in UAE

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