In Chennai, a woman in danger has two numbers that work any time: 112, the national emergency number for police, fire and ambulance, and 181, the Women Helpline, which the Chennai district administration lists alongside police (100), ambulance (108) and the child helpline (1098). Save both on speed dial, and install the Tamil Nadu Police’s Kaaval Uthavi app, which has an SOS button that sends your live location to the police control room.
Each of these does a different job. Knowing which one to use saves time when it matters.
112: the emergency number
Call 112 when you need help immediately: someone is following or attacking you, you are trapped, or you have been hurt. It is part of the national Emergency Response Support System, built under the Nirbhaya fund for women’s and children’s safety. According to 112.gov.in, you can reach it by:
- dialling 112 from any phone;
- pressing the power button of a smartphone three times quickly, which places a panic call;
- long-pressing 5 or 9 on a basic feature phone;
- using the 112 India app, which has a SHOUT feature that alerts registered volunteers nearby as well as the control room.
When an SOS goes through, your location is shared with the state control room and shows on the call taker’s map. Phone settings for the power-button shortcut vary by handset, so test it once with your phone’s emergency settings so you know it works.
181: the Women Helpline
181 is meant for help that is serious but not always an emergency: domestic violence, harassment at work or online, dowry demands, a woman thrown out of her home, or simply needing to know where to go. The Union Women and Child Development Ministry describes the Women Helpline as a toll-free, round-the-clock service that links callers to police, fire and ambulance through the emergency system, and to One Stop Centres (Mission Shakti). You can call for yourself or on behalf of a friend, neighbour or relative.
Kaaval Uthavi: Tamil Nadu Police’s app
Kaaval Uthavi, published by Tamil Nadu Police and downloaded more than 10 lakh times, is the most useful single app to keep on a Chennai phone. Its store listing describes these features:
- a red SOS button that sends your live location to the control room, alerts the nearest police station or patrol vehicle and texts your registered family members; if mobile data is weak, it falls back to SMS;
- one-tap calls to 112, 100 and 101;
- live location sharing with friends through WhatsApp and Google Maps;
- complaints with photos or video, a police station locator and helpline directories;
- police e-services such as reports of lost documents and checking the status of a complaint or FIR.
Set it up before you need it. Register your number, add two or three emergency contacts, and allow location access. Show older relatives and teenagers how the SOS button works.
One Stop Centres: help under one roof
One Stop Centres, also called Sakhi centres, are for women affected by violence, whether at home, at work or in public. They offer medical aid, legal help, temporary shelter, help in dealing with the police and counselling. In March 2026 the Union government told the Lok Sabha that 926 centres were working across India and had assisted more than 13 lakh women, and that over 15,000 women help desks had been set up in police stations (News On AIR).
A woman can walk in directly, be brought by police or a hospital, or be referred through 181. If you are not sure where the Chennai centre is, or need someone to go with you, call 181 and ask them to connect you. All-women police stations across Chennai can also register complaints.
Other numbers worth saving
| Need | Number |
|---|---|
| Any emergency | 112 |
| Police | 100 |
| Women Helpline | 181 |
| Ambulance | 108 |
| Child Helpline | 1098 |
| Online financial fraud | 1930 |
For online stalking, morphed photos or blackmail, report on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal; call 1930 if money has been taken. Keep screenshots, links and phone numbers as evidence before you block anyone.
After an assault, go to a government hospital as soon as you can for treatment and medical examination, even before deciding about a police case. Hospitals and One Stop Centres can help with both. For legal decisions, speak to a lawyer or the legal aid services available through the centres.
Quick answers
What is the women’s helpline number in Chennai?
181. For immediate danger, call 112 or 100.
What does the Kaaval Uthavi SOS button do?
It sends your live location to the police control room, alerts the nearest police unit and texts your saved contacts.
Can I use 112 without a smartphone?
Yes. Dial 112, or long-press 5 or 9 on a feature phone.
What help does a One Stop Centre give?
Medical aid, legal help, temporary shelter, help with police and counselling, for women facing violence.
Information checked against official sources on 18 October 2026. Fees, dates and rules can change; confirm on the linked official pages before acting.
Sources
- Helpline numbers (Chennai District Administration)
- Emergency Response Support System 112 (Government of India)
- Kaaval Uthavi app listing (Tamil Nadu Police, Google Play)
- Government says 926 OSCs are operational across country to support women in distress (News On AIR)
- Mission Shakti (Ministry of Women and Child Development)
- National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (Ministry of Home Affairs)
