Get help for gender-based violence (GBV helpline 1195)
State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action · sources read 5 Oct 2026
Call 1195, the free national GBV helpline, any time of day or night. A counsellor will listen, support you, and refer you to medical care, a safe shelter or legal aid. After a sexual assault, also get to a hospital within 72 hours: HIV PEP and emergency contraception only work in that window.
- Fee
- We couldn't confirm a fee from the official page. Check it there before you pay.
- Where
- By phone: dial 1195 (free, 24 hours). The counsellor refers you to services near you.
Steps
- Dial 1195. The call is toll-free and the line is open 24 hours.
- Talk to a tele-counsellor. They give you emotional support and counselling over the phone.
- Ask to be referred for what you need: medical treatment, a safe shelter, or legal aid.
Watch out
- After a sexual assault, get to a hospital or health centre as fast as you can. HIV PEP (medicine that can stop HIV infection) and emergency contraception only work if taken within 72 hours.
- If the person being harmed is a child, you can also call the Child Helpline 116, which is free and open 24 hours.
- The National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) works on GBV policy. For direct help with a case, use 1195.
- The State Department for Gender coordinates one-stop centres and shelters for GBV survivors; the helpline can link you to one.
Who can apply
- Survivors of gender-based violence, and anyone reporting a GBV case
Official sources (5)
- GBV Prevention and Response: Helpline 1195 migecah.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- Directorate of Gender Based Violence Mitigation gender.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- Services (National Child Helpline 116) childrenservices.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- FAQ ngeckenya.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Kenya: information for victims of rape and sexual assault gov.uk · read 5 Oct 2026