Responding to Victimization Abroad

A Federal Presence Overseas

The U.S. Department of State provides advice, guidance, and assistance to its embassies and consulates and, through the Office of Overseas Citizens Services, facilitates the exchange of information between U.S. embassies and consulates and victim service providers.

The overseas representatives of the U.S. Department of State at embassies and consulates apply their resources to provide—

• Immediate assistance, in person or on the telephone.
  
  
• Information about the role and services of local law enforcement.
  
  
• Practical assistance.
  
  
• Coordination of services with local governments and resources.
  
  
• Emotional support.
  
  
• Assistance for victims of crime who must return to a country to testify.

Keep in mind, however, that consular officers are not solely victim advocates. Therefore, the time and effort they can spend assisting victims of crime from initial victimization to recovery may appear minimal compared with U.S. standards for victim advocates providing victim assistance.

Resource:

U.S. Department of State
U.S. Embassies and Consulates
http://usembassy.state.gov