For Survivors Attending a Psychological Assessment, Court Case, or Reporting Abuse
Use this as a reminder of what to bring, organize, or send in advance (if asked) — especially when dealing with multiple locations (France, Spain, UK), systems (legal, police, medical), or long-term abuse.
🔑 Top Tip:
Put everything into clearly labeled folders (digital or paper), and keep a backup copy on a USB stick or encrypted cloud storage. Use password protection where possible.
✅ Essential Documents to Bring:
📱 Digital & Mobile Evidence
- ✅ WhatsApp or text message screenshots from abusive or harassing family members
- ✅ Voice notes or audio recordings of threats
- ✅ Screenshots of ongoing harassment, surveillance, stalking
- ✅ Photos of threatening behavior, damage, or injury
- ✅ Any deleted/recovered content (if applicable)
Tip: Create labeled folders like “Harassment – [Family Member Name]” or “WhatsApp Threats – Date Range”.
🧾 Legal & Police Documentation
- ✅ Police reports (from France, Spain, UK, or any relevant jurisdiction)
- ✅ Court documents from previous hearings (including:
- Statements containing false claims or perjury
- Any restraining or protective orders (past or present)
- Testimonies or verdicts referencing abuse
- ✅ Lawyer correspondence or affidavits (if available)
🧠 Psychological & Medical Records
- ✅ Psychologist reports (from France and Spain)
- ✅ GP or psychiatrist assessments
- ✅ Hospital or A&E reports (especially following violent incidents)
- ✅ Any medication history showing treatment for trauma, PTSD, anxiety, etc.
- ✅ Reports or letters confirming mental health impact due to abuse
📸 Video, Photo & Visual Evidence
- ✅ Video recordings of abusive behavior (if safe/legal to collect)
- ✅ Photo evidence of:
- Bruises, injuries, damage
- Threatening gestures, behavior
- Documented unsafe living conditions
- ✅ Images of abuser’s access to minors, weapons, substances, etc.
🧷 Statements & Testimonies
- ✅ Any written statements from:
- Friends, neighbors, family who witnessed abuse or threats
- Former therapists (if they documented coercive control or violence)
- Professionals who may have raised safeguarding concerns
- ✅ Written timeline of abuse (you can summarize or bullet this for clarity)
🌍 International Context (if applicable)
- ✅ Cross-border reports from France, Spain, UK
- ✅ Translations of key documents (if not in the assessment country’s language)
- ✅ Proof of repeated moves or escape attempts (e.g. visas, rental exits, police protections)
🛡️ For Your Safety & Protection:
- Bring only copies unless requested to bring originals
- Keep key documents in a secure envelope or binder
- If going alone, share your location with a trusted person
- Have an emotional support person on standby if possible
- Tell your lawyer or therapist what you’re bringing in advance
💬 Suggested Words if You’re Overwhelmed:
- “I have a folder of evidence that will support what I’m describing, would you like to go through it together?”
- “Some of this is hard to talk about, but I have it documented.”
- “I’d like these messages and records to be included in my psychological evaluation/report.”
