00:00What are the victims' rights for domestic violence in the UAE?
00:04Domestic violence is a serious issue that affects people all over the world, including the United Arab Emirates, UAE.
00:11Fortunately for the UAE, the government in 2019 launched the Family Protection Policy,
00:18which caters to women, children, the elderly, and people of determination to protect them from any type of violence and abuse.
00:25The UAE government has enacted laws to protect victims of domestic violence and provide them with a variety of legal rights.
00:32The Federal Decree Law No. 10-2019
00:34On the Protection of Domestic Violence, under Article 3, defines domestic violence as
00:40every action, utterance, abuse, mischief, or threat committed by a family member against another family member,
00:46surpassing his custody, guardianship, support, power, or responsibility,
00:51and may result in physical, psychological, sexual, or economic harm or abuse.
00:57Further Federal Decree Law No. 10-2019, under Article 5, lists out the actions that shall be deemed as domestic violence,
01:05such as
01:06Physical abuse means any harm to the body of the abused person by any means, even if no mark is left by such harm.
01:13Psychological abuse means any action or utterance that causes psychological injury to the abused person.
01:21Sexual abuse means any action considered as a sexual assault or harassment or exploitation in any way of the abused person.
01:29Economic abuse means any action that deprives the abused person of his right or freedom to dispose of his money,
01:36intending to cause him harm.
01:38Furthermore, the UAE laws also provide certain legal rights to the victims of domestic abuse.
01:44File a Complaint
01:44The victims of domestic violence have the right to report the abuse to the police.
01:50The UAE Criminal Procedure Law allows the victims to file a criminal complaint against their abuser.
01:56The police are then required to investigate the matter and take necessary actions to ensure the safety of the victim.
02:02Protective Order
02:03The victims of domestic violence have the right to seek a protection order from the court.
02:08Protection orders are legal documents that prohibit an abuser from contacting or coming near the victim.
02:13In the UAE, the victims have the right to seek a protection order as mentioned in the Federal Decree Law No. 10-2019 under Article 6.
02:22It states that the public prosecution may automatically or based on the application of the victim,
02:28issue a protection order that orders the abuser to do the following.
02:311. Not to harm the abused person
02:332. Not to approach the places established for the protection of the abused person or any other place stated in the protection order
02:403. Not to harm the personal properties or any family member of the abused person
02:464. Enable the abused person or anyone delegated thereby to receive his necessary personal effects
02:525. Any other procedures that the public prosecution thinks to include in the protection order
02:57that may provide effective protection to the abused person or any person who would possibly be harmed due to his relation with the abused person.
03:06Medical Care and Counseling
03:07Victims of domestic violence also have the right to access medical care and counseling services.
03:12In the UAE, there are several hospitals and clinics that provide medical care to victims of domestic violence.
03:18The victims may seek counseling from a variety of sources, including the police, the courts, and non-governmental organizations, NGOs.
03:27Legal Representation
03:28Should a victim of domestic violence decide to press charges against the abuser, they have a right to legal representation.
03:36The Constitution of UAE guarantees the right to a fair trial, which includes the right to legal representation.
03:44Victims may choose to hire their lawyer.
03:46Compensation
03:47Victims of domestic violence have a right to compensation for any damages that they have suffered as a result of the abuse.
03:53This may also include compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, etc.
03:58In conclusion, the UAE has enacted laws to protect victims of domestic violence and provide them with a variety of legal rights.
04:06Victims have the right to report the incident to the police, seek a protection order from the court against their abuser,
04:12access medical care and counseling services, legal representation, and claim compensation for damages.
04:18The victims of such domestic abuse must be aware of their rights and seek help if they are experiencing domestic violence.
