Building Your Case: How to Document Abuse

This resource from the National Domestic Violence Hotline explains ways survivors can document abuse, including keeping records of incidents, saving threatening messages, photographing injuries or property damage, and maintaining other relevant evidence. It also emphasizes the importance of considering personal safety when documenting or storing information. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) practitioners can use this resource to help inform conversations with survivors, provide appropriate referrals to advocacy and legal services, and share practical information when participants choose to document their experiences. This resource also reinforces the importance of respecting survivors' choices and recognizing that documentation should never compromise their safety.