Women's and child safety — helplines and your rights
The numbers to know in an emergency, and the rights that protect women and children — from the all-in-one 112 to the dedicated women's, child, and cyber-crime lines.
Your right
Women and children have specific legal protections, and free helplines that must respond to a call for help at any hour.
In a crisis the most important thing is the right number, fast. India runs a single emergency line — 112 — that reaches police, fire and ambulance, alongside dedicated lines for women, children and online crime. Beyond the helplines, the law gives women particular protections: a domestic-violence complaint can be made without filing a criminal case, a woman generally need not go to the police station to record certain statements, and an FIR for offences against women cannot be refused. This guide collects the numbers and the rights worth knowing before you need them.
Step by step
- 1
In an emergency, dial 112
112 is the single national emergency number — it connects you to police, fire, and ambulance from one call, and works even from a locked phone. This is the first number for any immediate danger.
- 2
Women's helpline — 1091 and 181
1091 is the women's helpline for distress and harassment; 181 is the women's helpline that also handles domestic violence and connects to support services. Both are free and available to any woman in danger or distress.
- 3
Child helpline — 1098
1098 is the child helpline — for any child in danger, in need of care, or facing abuse, and for adults reporting concern about a child. It runs around the clock.
- 4
Cyber crime — 1930 and the portal
For online fraud, blackmail, or harassment, call 1930 and report on the national cyber-crime portal. For financial fraud especially, calling 1930 quickly can help freeze the money before it's withdrawn.
- 5
Know the protections when you complain
An FIR for a cognizable offence against a woman cannot be refused. A domestic-violence complaint under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act can be made for protection and maintenance without launching a criminal prosecution. For sensitive offences, a woman's statement is recorded by a woman officer, and often at a place of her choosing rather than the station.
If you get no response
If the police don't act
An FIR for an offence against a woman cannot be lawfully refused. If it is, use the escalation in the police-complaint guide — written complaint to the Superintendent of Police under BNSS 173(4), then the Magistrate under 175(3).
For ongoing support
The women's helpline (181) and child helpline (1098) connect callers to shelters, counselling, legal aid, and child-welfare services — not only emergency response.
Legal basis
What you'll need
- The right number for the situation — 112 for any emergency
- Where you are, as precisely as you can say it
- For cyber fraud: transaction details and screenshots, reported fast
- Any evidence — messages, photos, witnesses — for a later complaint
At a glance
- All-in-one emergency
- 112
- Women's helpline
- 1091 / 181
- Child helpline
- 1098
- Cyber crime
- 1930
- What it costs
- Free. All emergency and helpline numbers are toll-free.
- Where to go
- Dial directly: 112 (emergency), 1091 / 181 (women), 1098 (child), 1930 (cyber crime).
Official links