Questions & Answers
The implications of reporting about domestic violence to the police
We are a Muslim couple from India, married for 12 years, and have an 11-year-old daughter. We moved to the UAE in 2014. We used to have arguments that led to physical violence.
There was also too much interference from my in-laws as well. I was under counseling from the Dubai foundation for women and children as I reported a domestic violence incident in 2018.
I had made a medical report and Sharjah police had warned him as well. Further to all this, my husband had to go through a kidney transplant and I was taking care of him and this brought the relationship back again from the verge of divorce.
We came back to Dubai after the transplant in Jan 2020. But slowly, he started changing back in the same way. He has now hit me again and my daughter called up the Helpline number for Dubai foundation.
I made a medical report as per their advice again. I need to know whether I should report this to a nearby police station and what are the implications?
Dear Questioner,
There are 2 options to lodge a complaint in the UAE:
1. You should go to the police station and lodge a complaint against him. After a complaint is lodged, the local police will transfer the case to the Public Prosecution. Thereafter, Public Prosecution will look into the matter and if there will be sufficient evidence supporting your complaint, your case will be opened. OR
2. You may directly approach the Public Prosecution and lodge a complaint there. Here, the Public Prosecution will directly initiate an investigation and upon finding the truthfulness of the complaint, your case will be opened.
You can contact us via phone or email for a detailed discussion and assistance in this regard.
Regards,
Sunil
If you will file a complaint in the Police, then he can be arrested for physical injury and barred from traveling outside the UAE and the matter will be referred to court after investigation and the court will decide the judgment.
You can file an application in the court for counseling and mediation between both of you.
You may contact me directly via phone or email for further consultation.
