Documentation... A Critical Part of Building Your Case Against an Offender

Documentation
Documentation includes harassing emails and text messages forwarded to a (hopefully new?) email address, voice messages copied and securely filed, screenshots (or web exports, pdf prints, 3rd party storage, etc.) with date and time of offenses. These things, along with any other information supporting your claims, will help when pursuing criminal charges. Remember, you need to prove a pattern of hostile actions. Any given act on the part of the perpetrator can - and most definitely will - be refuted. Providing overwhelming and verifiable evidence of an ongoing pattern of hostile actions is your best hope of convincing prosecutors to pursue a criminal case

Stalking Incident and Behavior Log
If you are a victim of stalking, it can be critical to maintain a log of stalking-related incidents and behavior, especially if you choose to engage with the criminal or civil justice systems. Recording this information will help to document the behavior for protection order applications, divorce and child custody cases, or criminal prosecution. It can also help preserve your memory of individual incidents about which you might later report or testify.

The stalking log should be used to record and document all stalking-related behavior, including harassing phone calls, text messages, letters, e-mail messages, acts of vandalism, and threats communicated through third parties. When reporting the incidents to law enforcement, always write down the officer's name and badge number for your own records. Even if the officers do not make an arrest, you can ask them to make a written report and request a copy for your records.

Important note: Since this information could potentially be introduced as evidence or inadvertently shared with the stalker at a future time, do not include any information that you do not want the offender to see!

Attach a photograph of the stalker, photocopies of restraining orders, police reports, and other relevant documents. Keep the log in a safe place and tell only someone you trust where you keep your log.

Documenting stalking behavior can be a difficult and emotionally exhausting task. A local advocate in your community can provide support, information about the options available to you, and assistance with safety planning.

Source: Victims of Crime:Stalking Resource Center