An asylum claim is not automatically limited to harm directly inflicted by government officials. Harm by private people or groups can be legally relevant in some circumstances, but the role and response of the government can become a central part of the analysis.
Document both the persecutor and the government's response
If the feared actor is private, organize evidence showing who the actor is, what the actor did or threatened, why you believe you were targeted, and what happened when protection was sought.
If you contacted police or another authority, preserve reports, complaint numbers, messages, decisions, photographs, and notes of what officials said or did.
If you did not seek protection, record the truthful reason rather than inventing an attempt. Country evidence may help explain whether reporting would have been dangerous or ineffective.
Avoid overly broad conclusions
Statements such as “the police never help” are less useful than specific evidence about the applicant's experience plus reliable reports describing relevant practices in the location and time period.
Official sources
Cases involving private actors can require detailed legal analysis; this page focuses on evidence organization.