Domestic violence or a woman in danger — first-hour steps
Your safety comes first. This page lists the helplines and practical steps that help most in the first hours, and the legal protections available in India.
🚨 In immediate danger, call 112 now — or 181 (Women Helpline). If you cannot talk, the 112 India app and SMS to 112 can also raise an alert.
Helplines for this situation
- 112Call
Emergency — police, fire, ambulance
Any immediate danger to life, violence, crime in progress, medical emergency. Works across all States/UTs (ERSS).
24×7 · also via the ‘112 India’ app / SMS · Official source
- 181Call
Women Helpline
Women facing violence at home or outside — links to police, One Stop Centres (Sakhi), hospitals and legal aid. (Per WCD, not yet operational in West Bengal — use 112 there.)
24×7 · Official source
- 14490Call
NCW Women Helpline
National Commission for Women helpline — complaint registration, counselling and referral to police, Protection Officer, One Stop Centre or DLSA.
24×7 · Official source
- 1098Call
Child Helpline
A child in danger, missing, found alone, abused or in need of care and protection. Integrated with 112.
24×7×365 · Official source
- 15100Call
NALSA free legal aid helpline
Free legal aid from Legal Services Authorities — persons in custody, women, children and others eligible under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
IVR 24×7; transfer to State/District LSA on working hours · Official source
- 14416Call
Tele-MANAS mental health support
Free mental-health counselling after a traumatic event — violence, fraud, arrest of a family member, a missing loved one.
Toll-free · Official source
⏱ First-hour steps
Get to a safer place
A neighbour, relative, friend, or a public place. Keep your phone, ID and some money with you if you can do so safely. Children at risk: take them with you if safe, and call 1098 if a child is in danger.
Call for help
112 for emergency police/medical response; 181 Women Helpline or NCW 14490 for counselling, referral and complaint registration.
Get medical care and a record
Go to a government hospital for treatment. Ask that injuries be recorded; keep the medical papers. Photos of injuries and damage help later.
Reach a One Stop Centre (Sakhi)
One Stop Centres offer medical help, police facilitation, legal aid, counselling and temporary shelter under one roof. Find the nearest one via Mission Shakti or 181.
Know the two legal tracks
Civil protection under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (Protection Officer / Magistrate: protection, residence, monetary relief, custody orders — interim orders possible urgently) and criminal complaint/FIR (e.g. BNS s.85 cruelty, earlier IPC 498A; assault; dowry offences). You can use one or both.
Keep evidence safe
Save threatening messages, call records, photos, videos; email copies to yourself or keep them with a trusted person. Note dates of each incident.
📁 Documents & evidence to keep
- ID proof, marriage proof (certificate/photos/invitation), children’s documents
- Medical reports, photos of injuries/damage
- Messages, emails, call logs, voice notes showing threats or dowry demands
- List of your jewellery/stridhan and belongings; bank details
- Copies of any earlier complaint, DIR, or police/NCW acknowledgement
⛔ Avoid
- Confronting the abuser alone when you feel unsafe
- Deleting chats or evidence in anger
- Signing any ‘compromise’ or property paper under pressure
⚖️ The law in brief
Under the PWDVA, a woman has a right to reside in the shared household (s.17) and can seek protection orders (s.18), residence orders (s.19), monetary relief (s.20), custody orders (s.21) and interim/ex parte orders (s.23). Giving/taking dowry and demanding dowry are separate offences under the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. Workplace sexual harassment follows the PoSH Act route.
🏛 Official portals
When the immediate danger has passed
Ask Adhiwakta to get general guidance from an independent advocate on next steps, or start with the free AI helper to organise your facts. This is not an emergency channel.
Frequently asked questions
- Which number should a woman in danger call in India?
- 112 for immediate emergency help anywhere in India. 181 is the Women Helpline (24×7) that links to police, One Stop Centres, hospitals and legal aid; the National Commission for Women’s helpline is 14490. If a child is at risk, 1098.
- Do I need to file an FIR to get a protection order?
- No. A protection order under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 is a civil remedy — an application can be made to the Magistrate directly or through a Protection Officer/service provider. A criminal complaint is a separate, optional track.
- Can Adhiwakta send police or file my case?
- No. Adhiwakta is not an emergency service or law firm. Call 112 or 181 in danger. When safe, you can Ask Adhiwakta for general guidance from an independent advocate, or use free legal aid (15100).