Victims and children often have to flee abusive homes because our systems prioritize removing them from danger instead of removing the abuser. While physical abuse is easier to see, emotional and coercive control often go unnoticed and can be just as deadly. Abuse isn’t always gender-based, but male-on-female violence remains the most common. Advocates can help lessen fatalities by going beyond checklists, listening deeply, building trust, documenting evidence like the Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit, and creating long-term safety plans for every survivor.

Learn how domestic violence and missing persons cases intersect, why the Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit (EAA) saves lives, and how the CUE Center can help.

We have something to celebrate—and we want you to celebrate with us!

Document The Abuse is now officially a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization!

This milestone means so much more than a new title. It means we can do even more for victims and survivors of abuse. It means more resources, more training, and more hope for the people who need it most.

For a victim of abuse, picking up the phone and calling the police is rarely a simple or impulsive decision. It's usually the result of countless sleepless nights, moments of fear, isolation, and the exhausting calculation of risk versus hope.

"Finding the courage to make that first call to law enforcement can be terrifying for a victim. They often don’t know what kind of help they’ll receive—or if it will truly apply to their unique situation. Too often, responders are simply ‘checking the box,’ offering generic suggestions that fail to address the specific needs of the case."

Every year on March 8th, the world comes together to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD), a global event recognizing the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It’s also a powerful call to action for accelerating gender equality. At Document The Abuse, International Women’s Day holds profound significance, especially as we advocate for women’s rights in abusive relationships and work to provide them with resources to reclaim their lives.

By bridging the gap between victim testimony and legal evidence, the EAA plays a critical role in ensuring that justice is served, even when victims are unable to testify.

The concept of the Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit (EAA) was pioneered by Susan Murphy Milano, a nationally known advocate for victims of abuse, who dedicated her life to creating proactive solutions for those trapped in violent relationships. When the Stacy Peterson missing persons case garnered media attention in 2007, Susan was triggered by all of the red flags from her personal experiences and got to work.