Abuse — whether at home, in a relationship, or from someone in your sport like a coach or senior athlete often happens with no witnesses, which can make it your word against theirs. A clear, dated record can support you if you ever choose to report it, seek a protective order, or leave the situation.
- You don't have to decide right now whether you'll ever use this evidence keeping it just gives you the option later
- Documentation is for your protection, not proof you have to justify to anyone before you're ready
Photos of injuries are strongest as evidence when they're clear and dated.
- Take photos in good light, from more than one angle, including a wider shot that shows context (like the room) and a close-up of the injury
- If your phone doesn't timestamp photos automatically, hold up something showing the date (like a newspaper or a note with the date written on it) in one photo
- Bruises can take a day or two to fully show it's fine to take follow-up photos over the following days
- A doctor or clinic can also document injuries formally, which can carry extra weight later
Threatening or abusive texts, emails, DMs, or voicemails are often some of the easiest evidence to preserve as long as you save them before they can be deleted.
- Take screenshots that include the date, time, and the other person's name or number
- Back up screenshots somewhere the person can't access email them to yourself, or save them to a cloud account they don't know about
- Don't rely only on the app itself messages can be deleted, including by the other person
Recording an incident as it happens can be powerful evidence, but it also carries real safety and legal considerations.
- Only attempt this if it doesn't put you in more danger a phone visibly recording can sometimes escalate a volatile situation
- Whether a recording can legally be used often depends on local law some places require everyone in the recording to know and agree to it, others don't. If you're not sure, keep the recording privately and ask a lawyer or local support organization before deciding how to use it
- Even where a recording can't be used formally, it can still help you personally remember details clearly and accurately later
A simple written log, kept consistently, can be just as valuable as photos or recordings especially for a pattern of behavior that builds up over time.
- For each incident, note the date, time, what happened, and who else was present or nearby
- Stick to what happened, in plain language you don't need to interpret or analyze it, just record it
- Keep this somewhere private and separate from anything the person could access — a notes app protected by its own passcode, a trusted friend, or a printed copy kept somewhere safe
Evidence only helps if the person you're documenting can't find and delete it.
- Store copies somewhere outside your usual devices if possible a cloud account, a trusted friend or family member, or a separate device the other person doesn't know about
- If the abuser has access to your phone, computer, or accounts, assume anything stored there isn't private
- Many domestic violence and sexual assault organizations can help you store evidence securely and explain what your local system will actually accept this is often worth doing even before you're ready to formally report
We don't collect photos, video, or audio on this website — organizations with proper legal authority and secure systems are far better equipped to receive and handle evidence than a website form. In Nigeria, these include:
- NAPTIP (National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons) — handles trafficking and violence against persons cases nationally. Phone: 0703 000 0203, toll-free: 0800-CALL-NAPTIP
- Mirabel Centre (Lagos State University Teaching Hospital) — a Sexual Assault Referral Centre offering free medical, forensic, and legal support. Phone: 0815 577 0000
- WARIF (Women at Risk International Foundation) — runs a Rape Crisis Centre with trained staff for medical and legal support. Visit warifng.org for current contact details
- Lagos DSVRT (Domestic & Sexual Violence Response Team) — free, state-run response line. Phone: 0800 033 3333
- Your nearest police station can also open a formal report and direct you to the closest accredited Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in your state
If you're outside Nigeria, a local domestic violence or sexual assault organization, or the police, can tell you exactly how they need evidence submitted where you live.
You don't have to figure out what to do with this evidence alone, or all at once.
- Our Community Support page has a confidential way to reach out, plus real local helplines by country
- A local domestic violence or sexual assault organization can advise on both safety planning and how evidence is actually used in your country
- If you are in immediate danger, contact local emergency services first — documentation can always come after your safety