Evidence in North Carolina Domestic Violence Cases
How survivors can collect documentation safely for NC legal matters.
Organizing Evidence Safely in Canada
What “Evidence” Can Look Like
Evidence is any information that may help show a pattern of behaviour, risk, or harm. It does not have to be perfect or complete to be useful.
- Text messages, emails, social media messages, and call logs
- Voicemails and screenshots of missed calls
- Photos of damage to property (for example, broken items, holes in walls)
- Photos of injuries, taken over several days if they change
- Medical visit summaries or discharge instructions
- Police occurrence numbers or incident cards
- Notes about threats, stalking, or harassment (including dates, times, locations, witnesses)
- Copies of past court orders, peace bonds, or protection orders
- Messages or statements from witnesses who saw or heard incidents
- Screenshots of location-sharing, tracking apps, or unwanted account access
Safer Digital Organization
Organizing evidence can make it easier to explain what has been happening, but it can also increase risk if it is discovered. Consider the person’s access to your devices and accounts before you store anything.
General Safety Considerations
- Think about whether the person routinely checks your phone, email, or social media.
- Decide whether it is safer to store information on your own device, on paper, or with someone you trust.
- Consider using a device the person cannot access (for example, a trusted friend’s phone or a work device with permission).
- Be cautious with cloud backups if the person knows your passwords or shares accounts with you.
- Regularly review what is stored and delete anything that feels too risky to keep where it is.
Ideas for Digital Storage
- Create a folder or album with a neutral name (for example, “Receipts” or “Notes”) rather than “Evidence” or “Abuse.”
- Save screenshots and photos with dates in the file name (for example, “2025-03-12-texts.png”).
- Email copies of key screenshots or notes to a new email account the person does not know about, if safe.
- Use a password or PIN on your device and avoid sharing it.
- Turn off message previews on your lock screen if that is safe to do.
Non-Digital Options
- Write a simple incident log with dates, times, what happened, and who was present.
- Store copies of important papers (IDs, court documents, orders) in a folder with a neutral label.
- Keep a copy of your log or documents with someone you trust or in a safe place outside the home, if possible.
How Evidence May Be Used
Processes and rules differ by province and territory, and by court. The information below is general and not legal advice.
Protection Orders (DVPOs and Similar Orders)
In many parts of Canada, evidence can support applications for family or civil protection orders, sometimes called domestic violence protection orders (DVPOs) or other similar terms.
- Written incident logs can show a pattern over time, not just a single event.
- Texts, emails, and voicemails can help show threats, harassment, or breaches of past orders.
- Photos of injuries or property damage may support concerns about future risk.
- Medical or police documents can help confirm that help was sought.
Court staff, duty counsel, or legal clinics in your area can often explain what type of information is most helpful for your situation.
Criminal Investigations and Charges
Police and Crown prosecutors decide what information is used in a criminal case. Evidence you have may help them understand the situation.
- Sharing screenshots, messages, or call logs can help show threats, harassment, or control.
- Incident notes with dates, times, and locations can support your memory of events.
- Photos and medical documents can support descriptions of injuries or damage.
- Information about stalking or tracking (for example, location sharing, hidden apps) may help show ongoing risk.
Family Law and Parenting/Custody Cases
In family court, information about patterns of fear, control, or violence may be relevant to parenting, decision-making, and contact arrangements.
- Incident logs can help explain why certain parenting arrangements feel unsafe.
- Messages that show threats, pressure, or refusal to return a child on time can sometimes be important.
- Past police calls, medical visits, or child protection involvement may be considered.
- Information about how conflict affects the children may also matter.
Family courts in different provinces and territories may treat evidence differently. Local legal clinics or duty counsel can sometimes explain the expectations in your area, without representing you.
Reminder About Recording Laws in Canada
Recording someone (audio or video) can be risky, both for your physical safety and legally. Laws about recording and privacy are complex and can change.
General Points to Keep in Mind
- In Canada, some recordings may be allowed when at least one person in the conversation consents, but there are important limits and exceptions.
- Secretly recording in private spaces (for example, bathrooms or bedrooms) or using hidden cameras can raise serious legal issues.
- Even if you create a recording, a court may not accept or rely on it.
- Attempting to record someone who is already volatile can increase risk of harm if they find out.
Balancing Safety and Documentation
Keeping any record of harm or threats is a personal decision. It is not required, and it is not always safe to keep everything.
- Consider which pieces of information feel most important to keep and which feel too risky.
- Think about whether someone else could safely hold copies for you.
- Remember that your safety in the present moment is more important than saving any document or message.
Some people find it helpful to review their options with an advocate or support worker. Additional support options across Canada can be found through resources listed at DV.Support.