What does the law say about rape?
Article 406 of the Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021 (Crimes and Penalties Law) punishes whoever forcibly has sexual intercourse with a female with life imprisonment. The penalty is death where the victim is not more than 18, or her will is not recognised for any reason, or she has a physical disability or a health condition that renders her unable to resist, or the perpetrator is a relative, carer or person with authority over her, or there are two or more perpetrators.
If rape or indecent assault results in the victim's death, the penalty is death (Article 408).
What about sexual assault on any person?
Article 407 punishes disgracing any person, male or female, with incarceration and/or a fine of not less than AED 10,000. With force or threat the penalty is imprisonment of five to twenty years, and ten to twenty-five years in the cases of a victim aged 18 or under, lacking recognised will, disabled, or in a place of work, study, shelter or care, or where the perpetrator is a relative or in authority.
Article 424 provides that the perpetrator is assumed to know the victim's age.
Is attempt punished?
Yes. Article 36 sets the penalty for attempting a felony: life imprisonment if the penalty for the crime is death, temporary imprisonment if it is life imprisonment, and up to half the maximum period where the crime carries temporary imprisonment.
An attempt requires an act that is itself part of the material element of the crime or directly leads to it. Mere intention or preparation is not an attempt (Article 35).
How is a case defended?
By examining the account of events, the evidence about consent, forensic and medical reports, messages and the circumstances of the complaint.
Hearings on offences against honour are held in closed session (Article 162 of the Criminal Procedures Law). Do not contact the complainant, keep all messages and speak to a lawyer before any questioning.
What should I do first?
Stop all contact with the complainant
Directly or through others.
Preserve phone and messages
Do not delete anything.
Write a private timeline for your lawyer
Dates, places, people.
Call us before any statement
Statements here are critical.
Call us on +971 50 653 1334 or message us on WhatsApp. We answer at any hour.
Frequently asked questions
Is rape punished by life imprisonment?
Article 406 provides life imprisonment, rising to death in aggravated cases.
Are indecent assaults on men covered?
Yes. Article 407 covers disgracing any person, male or female.
Is an attempt punished?
Yes, under Article 36 and the specific penalty rules.
Are the hearings private?
Offences against honour are heard in closed session (Article 162 of the Criminal Procedures Law).
Related guides
Sexual Offences overview
The main points, the process and your first steps.
Read the overviewChild Sexual Abuse
How the law treats sexual offences against persons under 18, the age of consent rules and the presumption about knowing the victim's age.
Read the guideSexual Harassment
How the law defines sexual harassment, the penalty and what makes it more serious, plus related offences in public places.
Read the guideSources
Source: Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021 (Crimes and Penalties Law), official English text on the UAE Legislation portal, checked 9 October 2026. The portal lists the law as active and last updated on 7 September 2026. The Arabic text prevails over translations.
This page is general information, not legal advice.