Guides and rights

If you see someone sleeping outside

In a Kashmir winter, a night outside can be life-threatening. Here is what you can do.

• If the person seems very unwell, unconscious, or is not responding, contact emergency services first.
• Ask kindly if they are alright and whether they would like help. Respect their answer.
• Offer something warm: tea, food, or a blanket.
• Send us a request with the exact location, the time, and a short description, so our outreach team can find them.

Signs someone may be using drugs

No single sign proves anything, but several together are worth taking seriously.

• Sudden changes in friends, sleep, appetite or mood
• Losing interest in studies, work, prayer or family life
• Money or valuables going missing from home
• Very small pupils, drowsiness, or slurred speech
• Burnt foil, syringes, or unexplained packets
• Long, unexplained absences from home

Talking to a loved one about addiction

• Choose a calm moment when they are sober, not during an argument.
• Say what you have noticed and that you are worried, rather than accusing them.
• Listen more than you speak.
• Avoid shaming, threats, or locking them inside. These usually make things worse.
• Tell them help is confidential, and that addiction is an illness that can be treated.
• Look after yourself too. Our family support is for you as well.

Your rights as a disabled person

The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 applies in Jammu & Kashmir. It recognises 21 types of disability and gives disabled people important rights, including:

• The right to equality and freedom from discrimination
• Free education for children with benchmark disabilities up to the age of 18, and inclusive education in regular schools
• Reserved places in government jobs and higher education
• Accessible public buildings and transport

Disability certificate and UDID card

A disability certificate, issued by a government medical board, opens the door to most benefits. The UDID (Unique Disability ID) card is a single national ID for disabled people. You can apply online through the government's UDID portal, or ask us to help.

Your rights if you face abuse at home

The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 protects women from physical, sexual, verbal, emotional and economic abuse by a husband, partner or relatives. Under this law, a woman can ask a magistrate for:

• A protection order, to stop the abuser from contacting or harming her
• A residence order, so she cannot be thrown out of the shared home
• Monetary relief, for expenses and losses caused by the abuse
• Custody orders for her children

Every district has a Protection Officer who can help file an application. Men, children and older people facing abuse are protected by other laws, and we can help them too.

Ask us for free legal advice. You decide whether to take any legal step.

Staying safe online

• Use the Quick exit button, or press Shift + Esc, to leave this site instantly.
• Use a private or incognito browser window, which does not save history.
• If you cannot use private browsing, delete this site from your history afterwards.
• Use a device the abuser cannot access, such as a friend's phone or a library computer.
• In our help request form, tell us the safest way to contact you.