Is Emotional Abuse Domestic Violence Under UAE Law?

The answer to “is emotional abuse domestic violence in UAE law” is yes: emotional abuse and psychological harm fall within domestic violence under UAE law. Article 4 of Federal Decree-Law No. 13 of 2024 explicitly includes psychological harm as a form of domestic violence. No physical injury is required.

When is emotional abuse domestic violence in UAE law?

Under Article (3) of Federal Decree-Law No. 13 of 2024 on Protection from Domestic Violence, the law applies to the family. This includes the spouses, children, relatives up to the fourth degree, and those linked by custody, guardianship, or authority. So any psychological or emotional harm caused by any of these individuals toward another family member falls under this law and counts as domestic violence.

Article (4) of the same law explains that domestic violence includes any act, omission, statement, threat, neglect, or economic or sexual exploitation committed by a family member against another. If any of these acts causes psychological harm to the person, it is classified in law as domestic violence. This confirms that emotional abuse counts as domestic violence in UAE law when it causes psychological harm to the victim.

In practice, emotional abuse takes place through threats, hurtful and humiliating words, deliberate neglect, or any behavior aimed at breaking the other party down emotionally, intimidating them, or harming their mental health. Since Article (4) states clearly that psychological harm is one of the results of domestic violence, any act that causes psychological harm to a family member is a domestic violence crime that requires accountability.

To address these acts, Article (5) requires reporting any domestic violence incident. The victim has the right to report. Everyone who knows of a domestic violence incident must report it right away to the competent authority or the social support center.

This includes family members, health and education providers, and others. In cases of physical or sexual violence, the police station must be notified directly. The law guarantees the confidentiality of the reporter’s identity.

Article (22) sets the penalty for failing to comply with the reporting duty. It states that anyone who fails to report a domestic violence incident as soon as they learn of it, in line with Article (5), is punished with a fine of not less than five thousand dirhams and not more than ten thousand dirhams.

To protect society from false reporters, Article (22) in Item (2) states that anyone who submits a false or malicious report of a domestic violence incident is punished with the same penalty mentioned.

To protect society from false reporters, Article 5 of the law also states that anyone who submits a false or malicious report of a domestic violence incident is punished with the same penalty.

If you need legal guidance on your situation, speak to our lawyers on WhatsApp or use the Contact Us page.

What is the penalty for failing to report?

Article 22 sets a fine of AED 5,000 to AED 10,000 for anyone who fails to report domestic violence immediately after learning of it, as required by Article 5.

Article 5 also penalizes false reports. Anyone who submits a false or malicious report of domestic violence faces the same fine.

What evidence can help when there are no physical injuries?

Proving psychological harm without physical injuries requires lawful, documented evidence. This follows the UAE Evidence Law No. 35 of 2022.

Do not expose yourself to the crime of domestic spying to gather evidence. The UAE law prohibits secret surveillance, hacking personal accounts, or public confrontation to obtain evidence. This can lead to criminal liability for privacy violations under Article 431 of Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021.

How can you report emotional abuse and ask for protection?

Article 5 sets the reporting channels. You can report to the Ministry of Community Development, the local competent authority, or police social support centers. Call 999 for immediate danger.

The Dubai Foundation for Women and Children is also available on 800111 for support and shelter.

For the reporting process, read our guide to reporting domestic violence in Dubai.

Article 6 sets what happens next. The receiving authority registers the report and takes protection measures. It hears the parties’ statements confidentially.

It then prepares a detailed report for the Public Prosecution.

Article 8 covers protection orders. The Public Prosecution can issue one on its own. It can also issue one at the request of the social support center that received the report, the Ministry, the competent authority, or the victim.

The Public Prosecution may ask a social worker or child protection specialist for an assessment with recommendations.

Article 9 sets the duration. A protection order from the Public Prosecution lasts up to 30 days. It can be extended twice for a similar period.

After that, the court extends it for up to 6 months, or until the judgment becomes final.

Article 10 gives the court its own power. The court can issue a protection order during any criminal case involving domestic violence. It can do so on its own or at the victim’s request.

The order lasts up to 6 months, or until the judgment becomes final. The court can extend it for up to 12 months at the Public Prosecution’s request. Protection order applications are exempt from court fees.

For the application procedure, see how to get a restraining order in Dubai.

What does a protection order include?

Article 11 sets the measures. The order can include one or more of the following:

The order is served on the offender. The competent authority monitors enforcement regularly. If the offender breaches any measure, a report goes urgently to the Public Prosecution or the court that issued the order.

What if someone threatens you to withdraw your report?

Under Article (25) of Federal Decree-Law No. 13 of 2024, anyone who uses force or threats against the victim of a domestic violence crime in order to make them withdraw the report is punished with imprisonment and a fine of not less than AED 10,000 and not more than AED 50,000, or with either of these penalties. This is without prejudice to any more severe penalty provided under any other law (Article 20).

For legal guidance on reporting and protection procedures, speak to our lawyers on WhatsApp or use the Contact Us page.

Questions About Psychological Harm and Protection