Assistance For U.S. Citizen Victims of Crime Abroad

• NCJ Number: 253770
• Date Published: 2019
• Length: 2 pages
• Agencies: OVC-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Report (Technical Assistance); Report (Grant Sponsored); Issue Overview; Instructional Material (Programmed)

Annotation

This fact sheet informs Americans traveling abroad about what to do should they become crime victims, and the U.S. State Department's services for American crime victims abroad are described.

Abstract

The U.S. State Department can help crime victims abroad by addressing emergency needs resulting from the crime, facilitate access to appropriate medical care, provide information on how to report the crime to law enforcement, accompany the victim to the police station when possible, assist in obtaining information about the legal case from local authorities, and replace a lost or stolen passport. Other State Department assistance pertains to financial assistance, making arrangements to return to the United States, and contacting specified persons in the United States. Suggestions are offered for obtaining information and engaging in other preparation that will aid a traveler abroad in the event of criminal victimization. Such information pertains to familiarity with the laws of the countries where one will travel, how to contact the U.S. embassy in each country where one will travel, and enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).