Documenting Domestic Abuse: Your Evidence Guides
When you’re living with abuse, everything blurs together. Then a professional asks, “When did this start?” or “How often does this happen?” — and your mind goes blank. A clear, factual record changes that. It turns scattered, frightening moments into something that shows a pattern: dates, facts, and evidence that can speak for you when speaking feels impossible.
These resources are for anyone trying to make sense of what’s happening to them — whether you’re years into a relationship or only beginning to wonder if something is wrong. A simple chronology can support you later in many settings: with the police, in family court, in safeguarding meetings, in housing and benefits claims, and in complaints when services don’t respond. Just as importantly, it can reassure you that you’re not overreacting or imagining it.
We’ve put together two versions, so you can start wherever feels manageable today.
Start here: the Simple Evidence Log
The gentlest place to begin. A short, repeatable log designed to take just two to five minutes per entry — because memory frays under stress, and the goal is something you can actually keep up. It includes a ready-to-fill table you can download or print.
The Complete Evidence Guide
When you’re ready for more detail, this fuller guide walks through how to document safely, what kinds of behaviour are worth recording, how to gather and store evidence securely, and how a chronology can help across legal, safeguarding, housing, and complaints processes.
Your safety comes first
Both guides put safety before paperwork. You’ll find advice on storing a record where it can’t be found, keeping language neutral, protecting yourself if your devices are monitored, and recognising when documenting simply isn’t safe right now — because it isn’t always, and that’s okay. You don’t have to do all of it. Start small, keep what helps, and be gentle with yourself.
If you need support: In an emergency, call 999. For non-urgent police matters in the UK, call 101. The 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline (run by Refuge) is 0808 2000 247.
These survivor-led resources are provided by NAAVoices.com for advocacy and information. They are not legal or medical advice and do not replace the guidance of a qualified solicitor or specialist.
