Figuring out if you are a domestic violence victim is the first step toward dealing with domestic violence. It can be physical, emotional, sexual, economic or psychological abuse done by your family. It is important to take an action to stop it. The journey is not going to be easy because sometimes even families do not support victims. Now that you have decided to fight against the abuse, you will need some proof of it. These proofs will contain your identification documents, documents specifying your relationship with the offender and your educational certificates. You will also require some evidence of the abuse, like photographs, videos or audio. Here is a list of all the things you must gather to strengthen your case against domestic violence:

1. Marriage Certificate: If the offenders are your husband or in-laws, you must produce a legal document stating your relationship with them. If your marriage was registered, you will have a marriage certificate. Get a copy of that as it will be legal proof of the relationship.
2. Proof Of Marriage: If your marriage was not registered, you can still collect some proof. The proof can be a wedding invitation card, photos captured during rituals (vidhis), photos consisting of relatives from both sides and the name of the priest who performed the rituals. These will also be used to establish the relationship between husband and wife.
3. Prepare A Record Of Marital Wealth (Stri Dhan): Stri Dhan includes all the gifts that a woman receives during her marriage. It can include jewellery and other gifts a bride receives from both families. Post-divorce, the woman receives all these things or the equivalent amount from the other party.
4. Gather Your Identity Proof: It is important to always have your government-issued identity proof with you. Keep your Aadhar card, PAN card, election card, and other identity proof. If your name is added to the ration card, then take a copy of this as well. This will come in handy if the case becomes severe.
5. Collect Your Educational Certificates: Keeping your educational certificates, school leaving certificate, appointment letters, experience certificates, etc. in a safe place will help you to start your life again. If you have stopped working or studying for some reason, you can restart it or get a job with the help of those documents.
6. Know About Your Violator’s Job: Gather information about where your husband or guardian works, like company name, owner, contact information, etc. This will help your lawyers contact them during the court proceedings to learn more about your husband or guardian. Also, be aware of where they keep their salary account.
7. Check The Assets: Go through the assets and check the assets owned by your husband or guardian. Also, check if the assets are owned assets or ancestral and if you are a shareholder or nominee for those assets. This can be useful because you can put a claim on them during court proceedings.
8. Keep Emergency Contact Number On Speed Dial: You never know when you will require help, hence it is important that you always have the contact number of your local police station, protection officer and NGOs. Also, make sure you have the address of the police station handy, so you can approach them whenever required.
9. Inform Your Trusted People About Your Problem: Keep your near and dear ones posted about the problems you are facing via emails, Whatsapp messages, letters etc. Save that correspondence as it can later be used as proof in court.
10. Get The Abuse On Record: Whether it is verbal or physical abuse, try to get it on record. If the abuse is physical, get a medical certificate from a government hospital with the help of a protection office or get a video or audio recording of the verbal abuse. This can be used as evidence in court against the violator.

If you are a domestic violence victim, gather all these documents and pieces of evidence to strengthen your case as well as start your new life. As soon as you feel that you are facing domestic violence, get in touch with authorities and get away from the person hurting you. Staying there for a long time will only put your life in danger. Hence, getting to safety will help. Check out the relief that the court grants to a domestic violence victim here.