Evidence in Pennsylvania Domestic Violence Cases
How survivors can gather and store evidence safely for PA legal cases.
Safely Collecting and Organizing Evidence of Abuse
Types of Evidence You Might Collect
Different situations call for different kinds of information. Evidence can include many everyday items and notes, not only official documents.
- Messages and calls: text messages, emails, social media messages, call logs, voicemail transcriptions.
- Screenshots: images of threatening or harassing posts, DMs, comments, or profile changes.
- Photos and videos: photos of property damage or injuries, screenshots of location tracking or monitoring apps, photos of damaged devices or locks.
- Notes and timelines: a simple record of dates, times, what happened, and who was present.
- Witness information: names and basic contact details (if they agree) for people who saw or heard incidents or patterns of control.
- Medical and service records: visit summaries, discharge instructions, or notes you are given from health providers, shelters, or community services.
- Financial and property records: bank statements, pay stubs, loan or credit documents, repair bills, or photos of shared property.
- Technology and tracking evidence: screenshots of account access history, login alerts, or device tracking records.
Only collect evidence in ways that feel as safe as possible. If you think someone is monitoring your devices or accounts, focus first on your safety and consider using a device they cannot access, such as a library or community computer.
Safer Ways to Organize Digital Evidence
How you store information can affect your safety. Consider options that reduce the chance of someone discovering what you are keeping.
Basic Organization Ideas
- Create simple folders by date or topic (for example: “messages,” “financial,” “photos”).
- Use clear file names that help you remember (for example: “2025-03-10-texts-evening.png”).
- Keep a short written list of what you have saved, without detailed descriptions, in case you need to find items quickly.
Safer Storage Options
- External storage: a USB drive or external hard drive kept somewhere safer, such as with a trusted person.
- Cloud storage: a private account with a strong, unique password and two-step verification that the other person cannot access.
- Email to self: sending selected screenshots or notes to an email account only you can access.
- Trusted person: sending copies to someone you trust to hold for you.
If there is a risk that devices will be searched or taken, external or cloud storage controlled by you alone may be safer than keeping everything on one phone or laptop.
Digital Safety Considerations
- Use strong, unique passwords and avoid reusing passwords that the other person might know.
- Log out of accounts after using shared or monitored devices.
- Consider turning off message previews on your lock screen so new messages or verification codes do not appear openly.
- Be cautious clearing browser history; sudden changes can also raise suspicion if device monitoring is already happening.
For general device and account tips, you can also review guidance similar to what is found on digital safety pages (for example, password security, app permissions, and account recovery options).
How Evidence May Be Used in Different Legal Processes
Across Canada, evidence rules and court procedures can be different by province or territory. The information below is general only and not legal advice.
Protection Orders (Sometimes Called Peace Bonds or Restraining Orders)
When someone applies for a court order to limit contact or increase safety, decision-makers may look at:
- Screenshots of threats, harassment, or ongoing monitoring.
- Notes about past incidents, including dates and patterns.
- Photos of damage or injuries, and any related records (such as repair bills or visit summaries from services).
- Information from people who have witnessed behaviour over time.
Evidence showing a pattern of behaviour over time may be helpful, not only single incidents.
Parenting, Custody, and Access Decisions
Family courts and related services may focus on the safety and wellbeing of children and caregivers. They may consider:
- Messages related to parenting, childcare, or exchanges.
- Evidence of threats, stalking, or control that could affect a child’s safety or routine.
- Records that show who is providing day-to-day care and stability.
- Information about breaches of past court orders or agreements.
Family law and parenting decisions are complex and vary by region. For province- or territory-specific guidance, speaking with a legal clinic or duty counsel in your area can help you understand how your information might be used.
Police Reports and Criminal Cases
When police become involved or criminal charges are considered, they may look at:
- Threatening or harassing texts, emails, and social media posts.
- Call logs showing repeated unwanted calls or breaches of conditions.
- Photos of visible injuries or damaged property taken as close to the time of the incident as it is safely possible.
- Any existing court orders (for example, peace bonds, release conditions) and evidence that they were broken.
Police or Crown prosecutors decide what evidence they can use and how to present it, based on local law and procedure.
If you decide to contact police, you can mention that you have messages, screenshots, or other records. They can tell you how they would like to receive copies.
Important Warning About Recording Conversations
Recording someone without their knowledge—by audio, video, or phone—can have legal consequences. The rules are different across Canada, and can depend on:
- Whether you are part of the conversation yourself.
- Where the recording takes place (public vs. private spaces).
- How the recording is later used or shared.
Before secretly recording calls or in‑person conversations, it is important to know how the law in your province or territory treats different types of recordings. In some situations, a recording might not be allowed in court or could even create legal risk for the person who made it.
For safer planning, many people choose to focus on evidence that is usually less legally complicated, such as messages, emails, photos of property damage, and a written incident log.
If you are unsure about recording or about sharing sensitive evidence, you may wish to get legal information from a community legal clinic, duty counsel, or another service in your area. Additional support options across Canada can be found through resources listed at DV.Support.