To secure a New Jersey restraining order or have the state prosecute a domestic abuser, evidence is necessary. If police officers don’t arrest an abuser because someone calls them about an altercation, the victim may need to prove that abuse occurred to protect themselves.
Frequently, those engaging in acts of physical domestic violence also exert control over their victims. They may threaten them about seeking medical care or reporting issues to the police. In scenarios where official reporting is not an option, victims of domestic violence can document the situation themselves.
Keeping a journal can be a key component of holding another person accountable for domestic violence or pursuing a restraining order for protection while leaving a relationship.
How a journal helps
Written records maintained by the victim of domestic violence can help prove there has been a pattern of inappropriate physical abuse. Those experiencing domestic violence should record all of the key details about individual incidents.
The time, date, location and exact conduct of the other party are all relevant details. If possible, taking pictures of injuries or damage to property with a mobile phone can help as well. In some cases, neighbors or even coworkers who see signs of injuries the next day can help corroborate specific incidents. Thorough records can help establish that a person requires a restraining order or that enough misconduct has occurred to warrant the prosecution of the abusive party.
Consulting with an attorney familiar with domestic violence cases can help people gather the documentation they need and navigate the court proceedings necessary to secure a restraining order. People who can prove the abuse that they’ve endured can hold abusers accountable and leave to seek a safer environment.