How do I make a complaint?
Procedures, required documents, preparation, checklist
Check out our guide
1/ Before going to the police station or gendarmerie
☐ Note down the facts precisely
Date, time, location, course of the assault and words spoken. Write the facts in chronological order, without trying to use legal terms.
☐ Note down what you remember about the attacker
Surname, first name, address, phone number, appearance, clothing, vehicle, licence plate, relationship to you… If you don't know their identity, you can file a complaint against a person or persons unknown
☐ Identify the witnesses
Surname, first name, telephone number, address if you know them. Also note down what they personally saw or heard.
☐ Gather the evidence
Photographs of injuries, text messages, voice messages, screenshots, videos, photographs, emails, available recordings, relevant objects or clothing. The justice services recommend attaching evidence to establish the facts
☐ Have your injuries recorded
Keep your medical certificate, emergency room report, sick notes, prescriptions, test results and healthcare invoices.
☐ Photograph your injuries
Take several photographs, particularly as the bruises or haematomas develop.
☐ Assess the consequences of the aggression already
Time off work, loss of income, medical treatment, travel expenses, assistance from a family member, inability to pursue an activity, psychological consequences…
2/ At the time of filing a complaint
☐ You can go to the police station or gendarmerie of your choice.
The police and gendarmerie services must record your complaint, even if the incident did not take place within their geographical jurisdiction.
☐ Recount the facts precisely and chronologically.
Do not try to minimise what happened, but do not add anything either: remain strictly factual.
☐ Report all violence experienced.
Even those that seem secondary to you: blows, threats, insults, sexual violence, damage to property, false imprisonment, harassment…
☐ State all consequences known at the time of the complaint.
Injuries, pain, psychological trauma, time off work, loss of income, expenses incurred…
☐ Please submit any evidence you have available.
Request that the important documents are properly integrated into the procedure.
☐ Indicate the presence of CCTV.
Specify precisely the locations likely to be fitted with cameras: shops, car parks, public transport, buildings, restaurants, etc. This can enable investigators to search for this footage quickly.
☐ Don't forget to mention the witnesses.
Even if you do not have their full contact details, provide all the information that will help find them.
3/ Before leaving the police station or gendarmerie
☐ Ask for the receipt for your complaint.
☐ Request a copy of your complaint.
You can request a copy of the record of proceedings at the end of your interview.
☐ Please note the procedure reference number, if one is provided to you.
☐ Keep all documents in the same folder.
