How to Document Abuse, Harassment, or Misconduct for a Future Legal Claim

Disclaimer: This blog is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Readers should obtain advice from a qualified lawyer about their specific situation.

When someone is dealing with abuse, harassment, threats, or other harmful behaviour, it can be difficult to know what to do in the moment. Many people wait until things become serious before they start keeping records, but documentation can be very important if you later need legal advice, a protection order, a parenting order, or another type of legal claim.

In British Columbia, courts usually need clear evidence before making decisions. This does not mean you need to have a “perfect” case before speaking with a lawyer. However, keeping organized records can help your lawyer understand what happened, when it happened, and how it affected you or your children.

This article explains practical ways to document abuse, harassment, or misconduct while keeping your records clear, organized, and useful.

Start a Timeline (604) 395-8223

One of the most helpful things you can do is create a timeline of what happened. A timeline helps show whether the behaviour was a one-time incident, repeated, or escalating over time.

For each incident, write down:

• The date and time
• Where it happened
• Who was involved
• What happened
• The exact words used, if you remember them
• Whether anyone witnessed it
• Whether there are texts, emails, photos, videos, or other records
• How it affected you or your children

Try to write the information as soon as possible after the incident, while the details are still fresh. Keep the wording factual and simple.

For example:

“On May 4, 2026, at approximately 8:15 p.m., I received three text messages from [name]. One message said, ‘I will come to your workplace tomorrow.’ I saved screenshots of the messages.”

This type of record is more useful than a general statement like “they are always threatening me.”

Save Text Messages, Emails, and Call Logs

If someone sends threatening, abusive, or harassing messages, do not delete them. Save the full conversation when possible, not just one message. Courts may look at the full context of a conversation, including what was said before and after.

You may want to save:

• Text messages
• Emails
• Voicemails
• Social media messages
• Call logs
• Screenshots
• Photos or videos
• Letters or written notes

Try to keep the original records where possible. If you take screenshots, make sure the date, time, name, phone number, or profile information is visible.

Keep Photos and Videos Organized

Photos and videos can be important in some cases, especially where there is property damage, injuries, unsafe living conditions, or repeated behaviour.

If you take photos or videos, save them in a secure folder and label them clearly. For example:

• “2026-05-04 damaged door”
• “2026-05-07 threatening messages”
• “2026-05-10 police file number”

Avoid editing, cropping, or altering the image. If possible, keep the original file as well.

Document the Impact

Abuse, harassment, or misconduct may affect more than just the moment when it happens. It can affect someone’s work, housing, health, parenting, finances, and sense of safety.

Depending on the situation, it may be helpful to document:

• Missed work
• Lost income
• Medical appointments
• Counselling
• Anxiety, fear, depression, or sleep issues
• Changes to parenting arrangements
• Safety concerns involving children
• Changes in housing
• Financial control or restrictions
• Police reports or file numbers

In family law matters, family violence can be relevant to parenting decisions and safety concerns. Under the Divorce Act, courts must consider the best interests of the child, including the child’s physical, emotional, and psychological safety, security, and well-being. The court may also consider family violence and its impact on the child or other family members.

Understand That Abuse Is Not Only Physical

Many people think abuse only means physical violence. In British Columbia family law, family violence can include more than physical harm.

The Family Law Act recognizes that family violence may include physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological or emotional abuse, intimidation, harassment, coercion, threats, unreasonable restrictions on a person’s financial or personal autonomy, stalking, intentional property damage, and a child’s exposure to family violence.

This means that patterns of controlling, threatening, or intimidating behaviour may be important to document, even if there was no physical assault.

Keep Third-Party Records

Third-party records can sometimes support your timeline. These are records created by someone other than you or the other person involved.

Examples include:

• Police file numbers
• Medical records
• Counselling records
• Emails to or from professionals
• School records
• Workplace records
• Bank records
• Phone records
• Reports from agencies or service providers

These records may help show that an incident happened, that you sought help, or that the behaviour had an impact on your life.

Keep Witness Information

If someone saw or heard what happened, write down their name and contact information. You can also make a note of what they witnessed and when.

For example:

“May 10, 2026 — My neighbour heard shouting outside my door at approximately 9:30 p.m.”

Do not pressure witnesses or ask them to exaggerate. Simply keep a record of who may have relevant information.

Be Careful About What You Post Online

If you may be involved in a future legal claim, be careful about posting details online. Social media posts, comments, photos, and messages may later become relevant.

Before posting about the situation, consider speaking with a lawyer. In many cases, it is better to keep your documentation private and organized instead of sharing it publicly.

Store Everything Safely

If you are concerned that someone may access your phone, email, or cloud storage, consider saving your records somewhere secure. This may include:

• A private email account
• A password-protected folder
• A secure cloud folder
• A trusted person’s device or account
• Printed copies stored somewhere safe

Your safety should come first. If you are in immediate danger, contact emergency services.

Speak With a Lawyer Early

You do not need to wait until everything is “bad enough” before speaking with a lawyer. A lawyer can help you understand whether the conduct may be relevant to a family law matter, civil claim, protection order, or another legal issue.

A lawyer can also help you understand:

• What evidence may be useful
• What evidence may not be relevant
• Whether urgent steps are needed
• Whether a protection order may be appropriate
• How to organize your documents
• How to avoid mistakes that could affect your case

In British Columbia, protection orders may be available in family law situations where there are safety concerns. The court may consider the history of family violence, whether the behaviour is repetitive or escalating, coercive or controlling behaviour, recent separation, and the at-risk person’s perception of risk.

Key Takeaway

If you are experiencing abuse, harassment, or misconduct, start documenting as early as possible. Keep a clear timeline, save original records, document the impact, and organize everything by date.

Good documentation does not guarantee a specific legal outcome, but it can help your lawyer understand your situation and advise you on the next steps.

Need Legal Advice?

Umbrella Law Corporation assists clients with family law and civil matters in British Columbia. If you are dealing with abuse, harassment, or misconduct and need legal guidance, our team can help you understand your options

Sources

Family Law Act, SBC 2011, c 25
Divorce Act, RSC 1985, c 3 (2nd Supp)
Supreme Court of Canada, Barendregt v. Grebliunas, 2022 SCC 22
Supreme Court Family Rules, BC Reg 169/2009