Building Your Case: How to Document Abuse

Documenting the warning signs of dating abuse (in every form that it occurs) will help provide proof of your partner’s behavior if you ever need it, for legal reasons or otherwise.

For some survivors, it can simply be useful to validate your experience and process complex emotions.

Ways to document abuse include:

• Keeping a journal of what you experience, including descriptions of how the incident made you feel.
• Writing down statements you, your partner, or any witnesses make before, during, or after the abuse.
• Recording dates, times, and descriptions of incidents. If furniture is overturned or items were thrown, describe the scene and take photos of the damage.
• Documenting any injuries, no matter how small (with photos if possible).
• Seeking medical care, even if there are no visible injuries, especially if you have been strangled or choked.
• Filing a report with the police, if you determine that it’s safe for you to do so.

This resource also has information on documenting sexual abuse and online or digital abuse.