Documentation
Documenting safely
If it ever helps you later, you'll be glad you have it. If it doesn't, no one ever has to see it.
Threat log
Record every incident: date, time, location, what was said or done, witnesses, and emotional impact (fear, anxiety). Keep it where they can't access it.
Save messages
Screenshot threatening texts, emails, voicemails. Email them to a private address only you control.
Photos
Photograph injuries with date stamps and a ruler if possible. Re-photograph as bruises develop.
Medical records
Tell your doctor what happened so it's in your chart. You don't need to involve police to do this.
Safe storage
Use a private cloud account, a trusted friend, an attorney, or an advocate to hold copies. Text a friend details with photos so a backup exists.
Why patterns matter
Single incidents can be minimized. A timeline shows the full picture and is taken more seriously by police and courts. Patterns can fall under hearsay exceptions and become admissible.
Pro tips officers wish more people knew
After an incident
Text your partner about what happened. Don't accuse — phrase it so they're likely to respond truthfully and not deny it. Example: "It really hurt when you hit me in the eye. Can you pick up an ice pack?" Their reply becomes part of your record.
If you want no contact
Be clear in writing one time: "Do not contact me anymore." Then do not respond to any further messages. The pattern of contact after that becomes the evidence.
Recording laws
Recording an in-person conversation is only legal in some states. Some are 1-party consent (you can record), others are 2-party (everyone must agree). Look up your state's rule before relying on a recording.
This app is not legal advice and cannot guarantee safety. For legal questions, contact a domestic violence attorney or a local legal aid organization. To learn how police use this evidence, read The Police Officer's Role.