What to do first when someone wrongs you

When something happens to you, the instinct is often to react — to confront the person, post about it, or make it disappear. A few steady first moves protect your options far better than a fast reaction.

Do these first

• ▹Get safe. If you're in physical danger or being threatened, prioritize your safety and contact local emergency services.
• ▹Preserve, don't delete. Save messages, emails, photos, and links exactly as they are. Deleting the originals — even to 'clean up' — can cost you later.
• ▹Write down what happened while it's fresh. Dates, times, who was there, and what was said. Memory fades fast.
• ▹Stop engaging where you can. Continuing to argue in messages often makes things worse and muddies the record.
• ▹Don't post about it publicly yet. Venting online can tip off the other person, complicate a future case, or expose you to claims of your own.

Then figure out the shape of it

Is this a civil matter, a criminal one, or both? Are you on offense (you were wronged) or defense (you've been accused)? You don't need to answer perfectly — you just need enough clarity to take the right first step. That's exactly what a NovamLegal report is built to help you do.

Good to know

This article is general information, not legal advice. Laws and deadlines vary by place and change over time, so confirm anything specific to your situation with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.