From Awareness to Action

When the system is the abuser

If your abuser is a police officer, military member, or official

The power imbalance is real — and there are still safe paths forward. The most important rule: never report inside their circle of influence first.

If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If calling their own agency is unsafe, ask the dispatcher for the county sheriff or state police instead. You are allowed to do that.

Step 1 — Document everything privately and securely

  • Keep records of abuse: dates, times, screenshots, injuries, threats, recordings (if legal in your state), and witnesses.
  • Use a hidden notebook, an encrypted app like Signal, or cloud storage with a password they will never see.
  • Never store evidence on a shared device, shared cloud account, or work computer connected to their agency.

Step 2 — Speak to a confidential advocate outside their circle of power

  • National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
  • DoD Safe Helpline (military-connected): 1-877-995-5247
  • A local shelter or advocacy group not affiliated with their department.

Step 3 — Report to an external authority, not their agency

  • State Attorney General's Office — especially for high-level or elected officials.
  • FBI or DOJ Civil Rights Division — for abuse 'under color of law' (using their authority to control you).
  • A different department's Internal Affairs — request that an outside agency handle the complaint.
  • Inspector General (IG) — for military and government personnel.
  • County Sheriff or State Police — when local police are conflicted.

Step 4 — Request a civil protection order from a civilian judge

  • A civilian judge can issue a protective order that law enforcement and military members must follow.
  • Many judges understand the power imbalance and can order firearms surrender, exclusive residence rights, temporary custody, and no-contact terms.
  • When you report or file, ask to speak with someone trained in domestic violence or public integrity.

If the danger is severe or your abuser is law-enforcement-connected

These are escalation paths above and around their agency:

  • Local DV Task Force or Special Victims Unit
  • FBI Victim Assistance — for interstate abuse or tech surveillance
  • U.S. Marshals — for high-threat cases involving warrants or firearms

Recognizing corruption tactics

When the abuser has institutional power, corruption can show up quietly. Naming it makes it easier to navigate around.

Command cover-ups

Reports that go missing, get downgraded, or never reach a prosecutor.

Intimidation of victims

Welfare checks used as surveillance, threats made through colleagues.

Failing to act on protective orders

Officers 'unaware' of an order, or slow to enforce it.

Improper investigations

Friends interviewing friends, evidence misplaced, witnesses not contacted.

Misuse of authority

Running your plates, accessing your records, using databases to track you.

Quick numbers to keep close

  • National DV Hotline — 1-800-799-7233 (call) · text "START" to 88788
  • DoD Safe Helpline — 1-877-995-5247
  • FBI tip line — 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or tips.fbi.gov
  • StrongHearts Native Helpline — 1-844-762-8483