Facing violence at home? The law protects you — and help is free.
If you are being hurt, threatened, or controlled at home, you are not alone and it is not your fault. Indian law gives you strong, fast protections — and every step of getting them is free. If you are in danger right now, call 112, or the Women Helpline at 181.
Ask her about this — freeWhat the law actually says
- The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 covers physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, and economic abuse — not just hitting. Controlling your money or threatening you counts.
- It protects you whether or not you are married to the person — wives, live-in partners, mothers, sisters, and daughters living in a shared household are all covered.
- You have the right to continue living in your shared home. You cannot be thrown out of it, even if it isn't in your name.
- A Magistrate can pass protection orders (stopping the abuse and contact), residence orders, monetary relief, and temporary custody of children. The first hearing is usually fixed within three days of your application.
- Cruelty by a husband or his relatives is also a criminal offence — you can file an FIR at any police station, separately from the protection application.
What to do
- 1
If you are in danger right now, get safe first
Call 112 (emergency) or 181 (Women Helpline, 24×7, free). If you can, go to a neighbour, a relative, or a police station. Your safety comes before any paperwork.
- 2
Get medical attention — and keep the records
If you've been hurt, see a doctor and keep the prescription and report. You have the right to medical help, and the records quietly become your evidence.
- 3
Reach the Protection Officer for your district
Every district has a Protection Officer whose job is to help you — for free. They record what happened in a Domestic Incident Report and file your application to the Magistrate. The Women Helpline (181) or any police station can connect you to them.
- 4
Ask the Magistrate for the orders you need
Protection from the abuser, the right to stay in your home, monthly monetary relief, custody of your children — you can ask for all of these in one application. No court fee, and free legal aid is your right.
Your rights, at a glance
Emergency help
- How long it takes
- Immediately
- Where to go
- 112 (emergency) · 181 (Women Helpline, 24×7)
- Rough cost
- Free
Protection & residence orders
- How long it takes
- First hearing usually within 3 days
- Where to go
- Protection Officer, or the Magistrate directly
- Rough cost
- Free — no court fee
Stay in your shared home
- How long it takes
- Immediate — you cannot be evicted
- Where to go
- Part of the same application
- Rough cost
- Free
Monetary relief & child custody
- How long it takes
- With the same application
- Where to go
- The Magistrate
- Rough cost
- Free
Free lawyer
- How long it takes
- At any stage — every woman qualifies
- Where to go
- District Legal Services Authority (DLSA)
- Rough cost
- Free, regardless of income
Common questions in this area
Write your question here. Next is a 30-second phone signup — then she answers it.
Free · no card · one problem a day.
When you need a real lawyer
This is serious — you should speak to a lawyer now, and the law has already paid for one: every woman is entitled to free legal aid through the District Legal Services Authority, regardless of income. The Protection Officer, the DLSA, and the 181 helpline exist precisely so you never have to face this alone or spend money to be safe. If children, property, or divorce are involved, the same free lawyer can guide you on those too.
Free legal aid is your right — find your DLSA through NALSAThis is guidance, not a lawyer. Miss Lucy Lite helps you understand your rights and your next step in plain English. It is in no way a replacement for proper legal advice — when your situation needs a real document or a fight in court, she'll tell you plainly that it's time to see a lawyer.