📁 Evidence & Documentation Checklist

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.”