Domestic violence under UAE law is any act of abuse within the family, addressed under Federal Decree-Law No. (13) of 2024 on Protection from Domestic Violence, issued in December 2024 to strengthen the country's legal framework for family stability and safety. By 2026, the courts and supporting institutions have built up meaningful experience applying the law, which now provides clear routes for reporting abuse, seeking protection, and holding offenders accountable.
Who Counts as "Family" Under the Law
The law takes a deliberately wide view of family, covering anyone connected by blood, marriage, or legal responsibility. That includes spouses and children, a stepfather or stepmother, children from a spouse's previous marriage, relatives by blood or marriage up to the fourth degree, people connected through custody or guardianship, and children placed with a foster family.
What Counts as Domestic Violence
The law defines domestic violence broadly — as any act, omission, statement, threat, instance of negligence, or sexual or economic exploitation by a family member that is intended to cause physical, psychological, sexual or economic harm to another family member. Notably, harm caused by failing to act can qualify just as much as harm caused by an affirmative act.
Forms of Domestic Violence the Law Addresses
-
Physical violence
Hitting or any form of physical assault against a family member.
-
Psychological violence
Ongoing insults, humiliation, threats, or verbal abuse directed at a family member.
-
Sexual violence
Harassment or coercion of a sexual nature occurring within the family.
-
Economic violence
Financial deprivation or deliberately blocking a family member's access to financial resources.
-
Negligence
Failing to provide necessary care to children, elderly relatives, or other dependents.
-
Unlawful control
Restricting a family member's personal freedom or forcing them to act against their will.
By defining family broadly and recognizing multiple forms of harm — not just physical violence — the UAE's domestic violence law reflects a serious commitment to family safety and stability. At Husain Al Ali Advocates & Legal Consultants, we advise clients on protection options and represent them in related family law and criminal proceedings with the discretion these matters require.
Husain Al Ali is a UAE-licensed Advocate by Ministry of Justice, admitted to practice before local and Federal Courts of the UAE.
| Article | Topic |
|---|---|
| Divorce Under UAE Law | Grounds for a wife to petition the court for divorce |
| Child Custody Under UAE Personal Status Law | Custody rules following separation |
| Alimony (Nafaqa) Under UAE Law | Financial support obligations within the family |
Do not rely solely on the information available on the website; you should consult a lawyer to clarify many matters.