The Abuse
Evidence
Log.
Emotions are valid. Evidence is what courts move on. Here is how to document what is happening — clearly, safely, and in a way that holds up.
This log is for general guidance only — not legal advice. Laws vary by country and region. Adapt this for your specific situation and consult a qualified attorney before filing any documents in court. Store all records securely and privately.
Courts move on evidence. Not on feelings.
Your pain is real. Your experience is real. And in a legal process — what wins is what is documented. Clear, factual, contemporaneous records change the outcome of protection orders, divorce proceedings, maintenance applications, and parenting disputes.
The woman who walks into court with a dated, detailed log of incidents — with screenshots, with witness names, with medical records — is in a completely different position to the woman who relies on memory alone.
Start recording immediately. Not perfectly. Not completely. Just start. Every entry you make today is evidence you will be grateful for later.
Abuse takes many forms. All of them count.
Many women only think of physical abuse as something that counts legally. This is not true. Courts recognise multiple forms of abuse — and documenting all of them builds a complete picture of the pattern.
The pattern matters as much as the incident. One entry tells a story. A log tells the truth.
How to record — and how not to.
The way you document is as important as what you document. A log that reads as emotional or opinionated can be challenged in court. A log that reads as factual, dated, and specific is very difficult to dismiss.
Use a consistent format: YYYY-MM-DD_type_description. Example: 2026-04-15_sms_threat.png or 2026-03-28_photo_injury.jpg. Consistent naming makes it easy to find and present evidence in court.
Record each incident here.
Use one entry per incident. Be as detailed as possible. Copy this format for as many entries as you need — keep a separate private document, notebook, or secure notes app and replicate these fields for each incident.
Copy these fields into a private notes app, a secure Google Doc, or a physical notebook stored safely off-site. Add a new entry for every incident. The more complete your record, the stronger your position.
Digital evidence that holds up.
Your phone contains more evidence than you realise. Here is what to capture, save, and back up — in a place only you can access.
Your evidence is only useful if he cannot find it.
Storing evidence on a shared device, a shared cloud account, or anywhere he has access to is dangerous. Here is how to store everything safely.
A statement outline.
When you are ready to make a formal statement — to police, to a court, or to your attorney — this structure will help you organise your account clearly and completely.
You are building your case.
One entry at a time.
Every date. Every detail. Every screenshot. It all counts. The woman who documents is the woman who is believed.