What does the law say?

According to the UAE’s Penal Code, any scandalous and disgraceful act will be incriminated.

Article (358) of the penal code states: “Whoever openly commits an indecent and disgraceful act shall be punished by detention for a period of at least six months.”

Article (359) of the penal code states: “Whoever attempts to disgrace a female by words or by deeds in a public street or frequented place, shall be punished by detention for a period not exceeding one year and by a fine not exceeding ten thousand dirhams, or by either of these two penalties.”

The code also states that any individual who is harassed can submit a complaint to a police station specifying the type of harassment, the time and place of harassment and witnesses or evidence. A complaint must be serious, clear and specific.