‘Want to know how to gather bullying evidence. Here are all the ways you can get evidence of bullying so that you can have proof in case you must take it to court, tribunal, or to the school board.

Bullying, especially psychological and emotional bullying, is difficult to prove. People in authority who are in a position to help you may not help you.

Therefore, in this post, you will learn how to gather your own bullying evidence and why it’s important that you do.

Once you learn all about this game-changing information. You will be your own detective and know how to prove bullying when it happens to you.

This post is all about how to gather bullying evidence so that you can prove bullying beyond a shadow of a doubt.

Bullying Evidence

The Importance of Gathering Your Own Evidence

School and workplaces may tell you they’ll investigate incidences of bullying. However, they may not. If they do, you can bet that they’ll have their own interests in mind and not yours.

They might even find ways of planting evidence against you to protect the bullies and themselves.

Therefore, it’s imperative that you learn how to gather your own evidence of bullying. Remember, proving that you’re a victim of bullying is your responsibility.

1. Document the Bullying.

If you want to gather evidence that people are bullying you, writing about it can be the first step to making a record of the attacks.

Document in the tiniest details possible. Why? Because not only does it help you to keep your story straight, but it’s also admissible in court and in tribunals.

The best way to document bullying is to use the 5W Method. What is the 5W method and how do you use it in your bullying journal?

the 5W Method

When you use the 5W method, you write down What happened, Where it happened, When it happened (the exact date and time of incident), Who was involved and the names of any bystanders, and, if possible, Why it happened.

1. Bullying Evidence:

What Happened?

Write down what happened. Moreover, when you write about it, describe the incident exactly as it unfolded. Include any exchanges of dialogue and by whom.

2. Who was Involved? Who was around to see it?

Identify the bullies by writing down their full names. If necessary, include their titles and positions. Also, include the names, titles, and positions of any bystanders and witnesses.

If there were any teachers or supervisors present, add their names, titles and positions as well. They may not want to provide any testimonies. Also, they may even deny seeing the bullying attack.

However, if you document correctly, your bullying journal will expose them for the liars and cowards they are.

3. When did the Bullying Incident happen?

Record the date and exact time of the incident. Very important!

4. Where Did it happen?

 You must include where the incident happened (school locker room, gym, bathroom at work, parking lot, etc.)

5. Bullying Evidence:

Why Did it happen?

Write down why it happened. For example, was the bully retaliating because you reported prior harassment?. Write down every detail!

If you don’t know why it happened, write that down. Moreover, if you need to, also describe how the incident happened.

Again, you owe it to yourself to document the bullying if you’ve tried talking about it and no one will listen to you.

What not to include in your Documentation.

Pay attention to the quality of your documentation. Also, make sure you write everything neatly and legibly. You want to make your writing as easy to read as possible. In fact, you might even want to create a typed version of your journal.

Don’t be vague. Here are examples of vague statements in documentation.

• “Her words hurt me.”
• “He assaulted me.” This is why detailed documenting is so crucial.

Always write everything down in the tiniest details possible. And no hearsay. In other words, none of the “he said, she said” stuff. Ever!

If you didn’t hear it with your own ears, it’s best not to record it. Only record your own experiences.

In closing, if people are bullying you, I can’t stress enough how important it is to have documentation of it. Documentation gets more credit than spoken words.

Why? Because when victims use the spoken word to describe what they’ve experienced, they can become emotional and end up rambling. And it will hurt you more than it will help.

When you’re being bullied, it’s not the time to be lazy. You must be proactive and document! It’s truly the best defense there is!

2. Bullying Evidence:

Save any mean or threatening Texts, Emails and Online posts, comments, and Messages.

If bullies bully you at school or work, there’s a good chance they’ll stalk your social media pages, get your email address, and bully you online too.

Therefore, save everything on three or more different flash drives. Then, keep each flash drive in different places. The trick is to take precautions in case someone connected to your bullies breaks into your house to do a little snooping around.

This doesn’t happen often. However, it has happened and you want to take precautions.

3. Record the bullying with a body camera or digital recorder.

If the laws in your state allow, record the bullying in real time. Body cameras are best but if you only have a digital audio recorder, you can use it.

However, I would suggest that you check the laws of your state first. If you live in a one-party consent state, you’re free to record.

However, if you live in a two-party consent state. Don’t do it. If you do, your bullies and your school or company can come back and sue you for violation of privacy laws.

And, believe it! Bullies are just itching for a chance to use the legal system against you. Again, don’t do it! It isn’t worth the time, energy, and legal expenses!

4. Bullying Evidence:

If the Bullying is physical, take still photos of any physical marks your bullies may have left on your body.

Very important! You would be surprised at the number of people who don’t think to do this. If a bully physically attacks you,always take pictures of any scrapes, cuts, or bruises.

This goes a long way in proving your case.

5. If you need medical attention, get copies of any doctors’ and hospital records.

If your bullies hurt you badly enough that you need medical treatment, get proof of that. This means making copies of the emergency room visit. If you have to have x-rays, get copies of those x-rays.

If you’ve suffered psychological bullying and need psychiatric help, get copies of those records as well. This may be more difficult. Why? It’s because of the stigma around mental health. However, you’ll need this evidence to prove psychological injuries.

when you do your own investigation, be quiet about it.

Never brag about what you’re doing to people you think are your friends. Realize that when you’re a victim of bullying, you can’t trust anyone. Not even your friends.

Bullies have ways of turning even your closest friends against you. And when they do, these pals will talk! So, keep it to yourself until it comes out in court.

Don’t document while you’re at school or work. Keep your bullying journal safe at home!

Don’t journal while you’re at school or work. Moreover, never keep your documentation in your desk at work or your locker at school.

Why? Because bullies are notorious for snooping through your things.  Workplace bullies will look through your desk. School bullies will go through your locker or gym bag.

Moreover, female bullies might snoop in your purse. Therefore, they’re likely to find your bullying journal.

Again, keep it at home and away from prying eyes!

In Conclusion:

When people are bullying and abusing you, it’s not the time to be lazy. And you should never depend on anyone else to do your investigation for you.

Why? Because this is how many victims of bullying get screwed. Again, many schools and workplaces may tell you that they’ll do an investigation. However, they usually don’t.

If, by chance, they do, they’ll be sloppy at it. Remember that these people aren’t your friends. They’re not on your side. They’ll only try to cover their own butts.

When you report bullying to school staff or to HR, you become a liability. This is why it’s important that you quietly build your own case.

It will take time and patience. Moreover, it will take a lot of work. But it will be worth it in the end. I promise you!

This post was all about how to gather bullying evidence so that you can be your own detective, take control, and provide proof of bullying just in case you need it later.

Related posts you’ll enjoy:

1. Bullying and Personal Responsibility: 3 Reasons to be Responsible for Your Own Safety

2. Speaking Up About Bullying: Be Prepared for These 8 Responses

3. Why do Schools Ignore Bullying? 7 Reasons Schools Do Nothing

4. Why Bullying Goes Unpunished: 7 Reasons to Stand Up for Yourself