Sheri Kurdakul, Founder and CEO of VictimsVoice, cautions, “Many states are ‘all-party consent states,’ which makes it illegal to record (audio or video) without expressed consent from all parties being recorded. It’s also crucial to understand the consent laws where you’re located and where any recording takes place. “That person may record and store it on their own phone, to which the abuser does not have access,” she noted. Narrah Patton, a domestic violence advocate with Safe Austin, suggests that survivors call a trusted friend or family member when an incident is escalating. The abuser could also access the recording to destroy it. Recording abusive incidents can be incredibly helpful in court, but it could also put you at risk of harm if the abuser discovers you’re recording. This can help you achieve divorce, keep custody of your children, see the abuser go to prison or even secure financial compensation. Documentation corroborates your version of events, which makes it potentially easier to prove your case. It is important to anticipate these tactics and have evidence ready that you can show the judge to prove your version of the events and to get the judge to rule in your favor.”ĭocumentation works as evidence to fight against claims the abuser may make about their abusive actions or you. “Others will claim that the victim is actually the abusive partner and that any injuries to the victim were from self-defense. Some abusers even claim that the violence did not happen at all and that the survivor is making up allegations to try to get an advantage in court, says says. “Many survivors of domestic violence face disbelieving judges who are quick to accept the abuser’s efforts to explain away the violent incidents or behavior. You may even be able to find free or low-cost legal aid. If you need to find a domestic abuse attorney, check out our information on Legal Help for Domestic Violence Issues. It’s best to talk to an attorney or legal advocate prior to your court hearing to learn more about your state’s laws. It’s hard to remember or re-experience the trauma of domestic abuse, but documentation of abuse can serve as a crucial tool if you decide to file criminal or civil charges, get divorced or to secure custody of your children.Īccording to, each state has its own laws about what evidence is permissible in court. Keeping a record of domestic violence–both physical and non-physical–might feel like the last thing you’d want to do. This article was originally published in 2015.
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