Documenting abuse safely for later

Key rules

• Medical report: Doctors send injury reports to court whether or not you want to file a complaint.
• Originals: Never edit or delete original messages; screenshot them and keep copies elsewhere.
• Storage: Keep evidence outside the home or in an account the abuser cannot reach.
• Safety first: If gathering or removing something could alert the abuser, wait and ask 016 or a specialist service.

Start with safety, not evidence

Keep only what you can hide safely. If collecting something could alert the abuser, wait. Your safety comes before any proof. The 016 helpline and specialist services can advise you on what is safe in your situation.

A doctor may send your injury report to court

If you get treated for an injury that may come from gender violence or another crime, the health professional must send a parte de lesiones to the juzgado de guardia. In many protocols it also goes to the prosecutor. This happens even if you do not want to file a complaint. The professional will tell you about it and refer you to support services.

So the report can start a criminal case. Think about this before you go, and ask about your options and your safety. The report is also strong evidence, so ask for a copy.

What is worth keeping

The documents list below shows what to gather. In practice:

• Keep messages and voice notes as screenshots, with the date and sender visible. Do not edit or delete the originals.
• Photograph injuries or damage, and make sure the date shows.
• Write a diary of incidents with dates and details.
• Note the names and contacts of people who saw or heard something.
• Keep medical, psychological and police records, and any financial records or threats.

A lawyer or a notary can help you make formal records.

Where to keep it so it is not found

Do not rely on your own phone if the abuser can unlock it, or on shared devices, shared cloud storage or family accounts. Safer options are:

• A trusted person outside the home, such as a friend, relative or lawyer.
• A new email account made on a safe device the abuser does not know about, with a strong password and two-factor authentication.
• A cloud account under that new email, not shared with anyone else.
• Printed copies left with a lawyer, social worker or NGO.
• Paper documents and photos kept outside the home.

The decision block below helps you choose between these.

Cover your digital tracks

• Use a friend's phone, a library computer or an NGO computer to search for help. Private browsing helps, but it does not hide everything.
• Where it is safe, clear history, call logs and messages. A call to 016 does not show on the phone bill, but it can stay in your call log.
• Change your passwords, turn on two-factor authentication, and check which devices are logged into your accounts.
• Review app permissions and location sharing.
• Unknown apps, a battery that drains fast or unusual data use can mean spyware. Also look for trackers in your car and belongings.

Removing spyware or deleting things can alert the abuser. Plan your safety first and ask a specialist service before you act.

Choosing between options

Where should you keep your evidence so the abuser does not find it?

• With a trusted person, lawyer or NGO: Best if you live with the abuser or your phone may be checked. Printed copies and documents like medical reports stay outside the home.

• In a new email account or cloud account: Fits if you have a safe device the abuser cannot unlock. Use a strong password and two-factor authentication, and never share the account.

• On your own phone or a shared device: Avoid this if the abuser can unlock your phone or uses shared or family accounts.

Choose the place the abuser cannot reach. Remember that a medical report goes to the court on its own, whatever you choose to store.

Documents you need

• Medical report (parte de lesiones) and hospital or primary care records, issued by the health service that treated you. Keep a copy outside the home.

• Psychological report from a psychologist, if you have seen one.

• Screenshots of messages, voice notes and call logs, with date and sender visible, kept alongside the original messages on the device.

• Dated photographs of injuries or damage, with printed copies kept outside the home.

• Records of previous complaints or police calls, if there are any.

• Financial records and a list of threats, if money is used to control you.

Checklist

• Take screenshots of messages with the date and sender visible, and keep the originals unedited.

• Write down names and contacts of anyone who saw or heard what happened, such as neighbours, family or colleagues.

• Keep a diary of incidents with dates and details.

• Create a new email account on a safe device the abuser cannot access, with a strong password and two-factor authentication.

• Send copies of your evidence to that account or to a trusted person outside the home.

• Check which devices are logged into your accounts and review app permissions and location sharing.

Phone and online traps when you seek help

• Calls to 016 can stay on your phone: A call to 016 does not appear on the itemised phone bill, but it can remain in the call history of the phone you used. Delete the call from the call log straight after, or call from another phone if yours is monitored.

• Messages, email and apps leave traces: The 016 WhatsApp line (600 000 016), the online email and chat, and the ALERTCOPS app (which sends a silent alert with your location to the police) can leave traces on your device. On a monitored phone, the apps themselves may be visible. Delete the messages when it is safe, or use a device the abuser cannot reach. If you cannot speak, the SVisual video-interpreting and text service for deaf users is another option.

• Your searches can be seen: Private browsing does not hide everything, and shared accounts can show what you searched or which devices are logged in.

• Spyware and trackers may be watching you: Unknown apps, a battery that drains fast or unusual data use can signal stalkerware, which is hidden spying software. Trackers such as AirTags or GPS devices can be hidden in your car or belongings. Review app permissions and location sharing, and check your car and belongings. Removing spyware or doing a factory reset may alert the abuser, so plan your safety first and do it only when it is safe.

Frequently asked questions

Will a doctor send my injury report to the court even if I do not want to file a complaint?

Yes, a health professional who treats injuries that may come from abuse must send the injury report (parte de lesiones) to the duty court, even if you do not file a complaint.

Can I keep a diary of incidents as evidence?

Yes, a diary with dates and details of each incident is useful evidence, as long as you keep it somewhere the abuser cannot find it. Add what happened, where, and who saw it. Give a copy to a trusted person or a lawyer.

Should I delete threatening messages after I screenshot them?

No, do not delete or edit the originals, because the original messages on the device are the strongest proof. Keep the screenshots with date and sender visible. Store copies outside the home, and ask a lawyer or notary if you need a formal record.

Who can keep printed copies of my evidence for me?

A lawyer, a social worker or an NGO can hold printed copies for you outside your home. A friend or relative you trust can also keep them. The 016 helpline can advise you on safe options.