How to document violence
Gather evidence for your protection. Every piece of evidence you save helps.
📷
Photograph injuries
- ✓ Take clear photos of injuries immediately after the violence
- ✓ Photograph from close up and from a distance
- ✓ Make sure the date and time are visible in the photo
- ✓ Save them in a safe place (email, cloud, or with someone you trust)
💬
Save messages
- ✓ Do not delete threatening or abusive messages
- ✓ Take screenshots of conversations
- ✓ Save threatening emails
- ✓ Save voice messages if there are any
📝
Keep a diary
- ✓ Write down the date, time and place of every incident
- ✓ Describe what happened in detail
- ✓ Note whether there were witnesses
- ✓ Note whether you went to a doctor or police
🏥
Medical evidence
- ✓ Go to a doctor after every incident
- ✓ Request a detailed medical report
- ✓ Keep copies of all reports
- ✓ Photograph prescriptions and results
When you are ready, this evidence will help for:
- ✓ Filing a complaint with the police
- ✓ Requesting a protection order in court
- ✓ Free legal help from organizations