If you feel threatened, unsafe, or false accusations have been made against you; it is time to consider video surveillance.
In addition documenting everything and gathering evidence, there are free and cost-effective ways to record yourself and your surroundings for protection. The state of California allows you to legally record audio and video of another person if you are in a public place where there is not a presumption of privacy.
Presence is a free app that allows you to use old smartphones as motion detecting audio and video recorders. This is a great no-cost way to monitor what is happening in your home. Videos are stored on the web and can be accessed by phone or on your computer, downloaded and saved, and viewed in real time.
Get a dash-cam. Technology is cheap and a dash cam can be purchased for under $50 online. Some record audio in addition to video.
Get hidden camera glasses. A google search for 'hidden camera glasses' brings up many different models, some on ebay for less than $10. These usually record audio and video. The audio is usually good, and the video acceptable. DwD clients have reported using these for sensitive interactions in public places such as child hand-offs. One client reported to us:
"I use my hidden camera glasses for every exchange. I start recording when I get in the car with talk radio on as a time reference that matches the timestamp on the video. I record myself driving to the police department and don't stop until I have my son and am back home with him. It has saved me from many false allegations at exchanges where my ex claimed I assaulted her in the parking lot or some other fabrication. On one occasion the police were ready to arrest me, but I asked them to view the footage on the micro SD card in my glasses first. If I hadn't had the recording, I certainly would have ended up in jail and probably lost custody of my son. Thanks for the suggestions DwD!"