Getting help from police, courts, hospitals and complaint systems
A service route is a choice with possible benefits, delays, privacy costs and retaliation risks—not a guaranteed rescue or result.
In this guide
What this can look like
The best first route depends on immediate danger, age, injury, location, disability, relationship, digital monitoring and what the person wants.
- A service asks for identity, location, incident details, documents or a phone number before it can act.
- A complaint may be transferred, recorded, investigated, closed, delayed or challenged.
- Family, employer or accused person may learn of the action despite a person's wish for privacy.
- A portal, helpline, police station, hospital and court provide different functions.
Why this is harmful
- Unrealistic promises can expose a woman to danger when systems respond slowly or differently than expected.
- Repeated storytelling, inaccessible offices, bias and uncertain status can become a second harm.
Procedure matters
The BNSS governs criminal procedure; special laws such as POCSO, the Domestic Violence Act and workplace sexual-harassment law add different procedures and institutions.
The Legal Services Authorities Act and NALSA system provide free legal services to eligible groups, including women and children.
This platform cannot file, track, escalate or guarantee a case. Jurisdiction, evidence, limitation periods and mandatory duties require individual assessment.
Safer next steps
Choose only what fits the situation. Safety, time, money, disability, family control and device monitoring can change what is possible.
Start with the need
Choose immediate safety, medical care, child protection, legal information, workplace action, cybercrime reporting or emotional support before choosing an organisation.
Ask process questions
Ask what will be recorded, shared and done next; whether a reference number is available; and what happens if you stop.
Plan for a failed route
Keep an alternative contact and record time, name and reference only if safe. Service failure is not the help-seeker's fault.
How to support someone
Offer practical accompaniment without taking ownership of the case.
What can help
- Help write questions and sit with her during a call if invited.
- Keep transport, food, medicine, care and rest in the plan.
What to avoid
- Do not impersonate her or submit details without consent.
- Do not promise confidentiality, arrest, shelter or a deadline.
Words you can use
“Would you like information, company, or help making the call?”
“Before sharing details, we can ask what the service will do with them.”
What families and institutions must do
Police and justice systems
Police, courts and complaint bodies
- Give plain-language process, status and referral information.
- Provide privacy, interpretation, accessibility and protection from retaliation.
Health services
Hospitals
- Prioritise urgent care and explain consent, records and reporting duties.
- Create private, accessible disclosure routes and coordinated referral.
Get help and practical support
Call 112
For immediate danger, urgent police, fire or medical coordination.
Pan-India emergency service
A call or app request may share your number, voice and location with responders.
Call Women Helpline 181
For information, support and referral concerning violence against women.
The official FAQ currently lists every State and Union Territory except West Bengal; response can vary locally.
Ask what will be recorded or shared before giving details when it is safe to do so.
Call Child Helpline 1098
For a child in crisis or needing protection and connection to longer-term care.
24 hours through state and district child-protection systems
Call legal-aid helpline 15100
Women and children are listed among people eligible for free legal services.
Eligibility does not guarantee a particular lawyer, remedy or result.
Open the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal
Report cybercrime; use 1930 immediately for cyber financial fraud.
Most trackable complaints require registration and personal details. Some sexual-content routes permit anonymous reporting.
Sources and publication record
- Publication review
- Reviewed and approved by the project team
- Sources checked
- Jurisdiction
- India
- Review record
- Reviewed and approved by the project team. Official statutes and service sources are listed with the relevant content.
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023India Code, Legislative Department
- Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987India Code, Legislative Department
- Free legal services and National Legal Aid Helpline 15100National Legal Services Authority
- Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005India Code, Legislative Department
- Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012India Code, Legislative Department
- Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013India Code, Legislative Department
- Emergency Response Support System 112Ministry of Home Affairs
- Women Helpline 181Ministry of Women and Child Development
- Child Helpline 1098Ministry of Women and Child Development
- National Cyber Crime Reporting PortalIndian Cybercrime Coordination Centre, Ministry of Home Affairs