Every year, millions of people experience abuse from the people they trust the most: their partners. Domestic abuse is such a serious issue because it also has psychological components that make it hard for the victim to not only get the help they need but also know how to prove domestic abuse and get away from these bad situations. Proving domestic abuse is the first step in getting the justice you deserve, but it is very challenging due to feelings of vulnerability, fear, and being alone. In this article, we will look at a few things you can do to gather the evidence you need to prove domestic violence.
Start By Understanding Abusive Behavior
There are different forms of domestic abuse including psychological, emotional, physical, and more. If you want to document them properly, you need to know how to categorize the behaviors behind them. Then, create labels for each of them. For example, you could create labels for threats, physical attacks, controlling behaviors, or other types of suffering.
Going through this will be difficult, but it is the best way to provide proof of the different types of abuse you have undergone.
Record Everything
An abusive partner will likely cut you off from electronic devices in a bid to control you. This means audio or video recordings might be difficult to obtain. However, record every instance of abuse by writing down as many details of the situation as possible.
If you visit the hospital, ask the doctor to upload the images of your injuries to an online folder if you can.
Score The Evidence
Some instances will be more violent or impactful than others so they will affect you differently. Record how different situations have affected any aspect of your wellbeing, being sure to note down why you have given different instances the scores you have.
When assessing the impact each incident has had, ensure you also note any impact it has had on third parties, such as your children.
Never Stop Collecting Evidence
Even if you are not able to collect details and information, record it or write it down, always collect even the simplest evidence. The more evidence you have, the higher the chance police will take you seriously. Additionally, better evidence will ensure you get the immediate help you need from an attorney and other agencies.
Take Action
Once you have enough evidence, you need to remove yourself or a loved one from the situation or the vicinity of the abuser. The next step is getting in touch with the police, who will then notify the state’s attorney general to press charges. Once they file the criminal case, they will give you a protective order to ensure you remain safe. The abuser will be arrested for domestic battery.
You should then get in touch with a domestic abuse lawyer from RB Law, who will get you the help you are entitled to.
Domestic abuse can make you feel isolated, lonely, scared, and vulnerable. These feelings make it difficult to get out of these situations. Collecting as much evidence as you can ensures you can get the help you need as soon as you present this evidence to relevant parties.
