Everyone deserves safety, respect, and freedom from abuse. The law offers protections, but seeking legal or police help can feel overwhelming and be difficult. Knowing your rights is a strong first step, and support is available when you’re ready.
Knowing your rights is powerful, even if you don’t plan to take legal action right away. The law in India recognises many forms of abuse and provides options for protection, but the system can be slow or difficult to navigate. By staying informed, you can:
Recognise when abuse is happening
Make safer decisions about what steps to take and when
Reach out to trusted people, NGOs, or services before a crisis
Avoid feeling isolated or powerless
Even if you never use the legal system, knowing your rights helps you protect yourself and support others.
Yes. The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, recognises that abuse isn’t only physical — it can also be sexual, emotional, verbal, economic, or digital. Examples include:
Even in marriage, forcing sex is abuse. In India, marital rape is not recognised as a criminal offence under the Indian Penal Code, but the Domestic Violence Act does recognise forced sex as sexual abuse. This means you can seek civil remedies such as protection orders, residence rights, monetary relief, and compensation if your partner forces sex.
Under the Domestic Violence Act, you may be entitled to:
These protections apply whether you are married, in a live-in relationship, or separated.
Pregnancy: You have the right to safe and legal abortion under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971 (amended 2021), whether or not you’re married.
Threats, blackmail using private photos or messages, or controlling your social media accounts are all forms of abuse. In practice, reporting these crimes can be difficult, but saving evidence safely (screenshots, recordings, messages) is a strong first step. You can also reach out to a cybercrime helpline, your local police station, or an NGO for support.
Yes. If you are married, you can file for divorce, either by mutual consent or on grounds such as cruelty, abandonment, or mental harm. You can also end a live-in relationship if it feels unsafe or controlling. A lawyer or NGO can guide you on what options, schemes, or services are available.
That’s okay. You don’t have to act immediately. Just knowing your rights is a powerful first step. Many survivors also find it helpful to identify trusted people or services nearby like NGOs, neighbours, or friends before a crisis happens.
The legal system can be slow and discouraging, and while every woman is entitled to free legal aid under the Legal Services Authorities Act, in practice access can be uneven. NGOs and women’s organisations can often help you connect with more reliable support.
Remember: you are not alone. You have options. And you have the right to live with freedom, safety, and self-respect.