UAE domestic violence helplines and support
Free, confidential helplines in the UAE for abuse, child protection, mental health and trafficking. Numbers to call or text, with real hours.
These are the numbers that answer in the UAE. Each one was checked against the operating organisation, and where a line is not staffed around the clock the real hours are given rather than an assumption.
If you are not ready to speak to anyone, the organisations listed below the helplines run shelters, counselling and case support, and most can be contacted in writing first.
In an emergency, call 999 (Police) or 998 (Ambulance) or 997 (Fire).
Call or text
7 helplines
Dubai Foundation for Women and Children
Shelter, counselling, legal and case support for women and children experiencing violence or abuse.
Sharjah Social Services — women's protection
Social, psychological and legal counselling, and protection for women and families in Sharjah.
Child Protection Centre, Ministry of Interior
National line for a child at risk — yours or one you are worried about.
Sakina — mental health support
Free mental health support in Arabic and English, run with the Department of Health, Abu Dhabi. Dial 800 SAKINA.
Human trafficking helpline
For anyone brought here or held under false terms, or forced into work or sex. Connects to Ewa’a shelters for shelter, medical and psychological care.
Labour complaints
Unpaid wages, a confiscated passport, hours you never agreed to. Covers domestic workers as well as company staff. MOHRE’s own call centre is 600 590000.
Dubai Police — victim support
Follow-up and support for victims of crime, separate from the 999 emergency line.
If your passport is being held, or your visa is tied to the person you need to get away from, your embassy or consulate can hold documents, issue an emergency travel document and speak to the authorities on your behalf. You can call them before you decide anything.
Organisations and pages
3 entries
Dubai Foundation for Women and Children dfwac.ae
Shelter, counselling and case support for women and children. Helpline 800 111, or text 5111.
Child Protection Centre moi-cpc.ae
National child protection helpline: 116 111.
Sakina — Department of Health, Abu Dhabi doh.gov.ae
24/7 mental health support in Arabic and English, run with the Department of Health. Call 800 SAKINA (800 725462).
If your passport is being held
This is common and it is not the end of the matter. Your embassy or consulate can hold documents for you, issue an emergency travel document, and speak to the authorities on your behalf. You can call them before you decide anything, and doing so commits you to nothing.
Withholding a passport is also a labour offence in its own right. The worker rights page sets out how to raise it.
More for the UAE
Every link on this page was opened and checked by hand. Last reviewed 04 October 2026.