Victims of Crime

If you are a victim of a crime abroad, the U.S. Department of State can help you find support, information, and resources. Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate for your destination.

How consular staff help:

Consular staff can connect you to local, state, federal and international resources for victims of crime. They can also:

• Replace a lost or stolen passport. 
• Contact family, friends, or employers in accordance with the Privacy Act.
• Provide information about available medical care. 
• Explain financial assistance options, including to return to the United States. 
• Ask local authorities for an update on your legal case, if you need one.
• Provide a list of local lawyers who speak English. 

Consular sections cannot: 

• Investigate crimes. 
• Give legal advice or represent you in court. 
• Serve as official interpreters or translators. 
• Pay legal, medical, or other expenses for you. 

Resources and contacts vary by country and type of crime.

General resources

• U.S. Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime (OVC): Contact information for non-emergency services across the United States.
• The Directory of Crime Victim Sevices includes a global list of abuse hotlines, shelters, crisis centers and women's organizations. This website also includes domestic violence information in more than 90 languages.
• U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women, Resources for Survivors: Get help from local coalitions focused on sexual assault and domestic violence victims. 
• National Center for Victims of Crime, Victime Connect Resource Center: Learn about how crime affects victims. Find safety planning tips, legal rights, and civil remedies. Get help and referrals to local programs.

Sexual assault

• RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network): Call, text, or chat the toll-free 24/7 hotline for sexual assault counseling and referrals.  Their website also provides live, secure, anonymous crisis support for victims of sexual violence, their friends, and families.
• (NSVRC) National Sexual Violence Resource Center: This non-profit provides resources and information on sexual assault. NSVRC also has a state directory of organizations that provide services to survivors of sexual assault.

Homicide

• National Organization of Parents of Murdered Children:  For family and friends of those who have died by violence.  Hotline for crisis counseling and referrals available Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., ET.
• The Compassionate Friends: Nonprofit providing trauma-based resources for victims of crime.
• Review our information on Deaths Abroad.

Domestic violence

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 24/7 hotline provides essential tools and support to help survivors of domestic violence. It offers crisis help, education, and referral services in more than 200 languages. Dial 1-800-799-SAFE or 1-800-799-7233. TTY: 1-800-787-3224 
• National Coalition Against Domestic Violence: The organization offers a safe home, shelter programs, public education, and technical assistance. They also have a list of state and international organizations that can assist domestic violence victims: 303-839-1852.

• Tahirih Center for Justice: Nonprofit helping victims of early and forced marriage in the U.S. by providing resources for their resettlement. 
• Unchained At Last: Nonprofit that provides resources for early and forced marriage survivors. 
• Review our information on Marriage.

• National Child Abuse Hotline: U.S. National child abuse hotline to report suspected and confirmed abuse of children, dial 800-422-4453.
• FBI Online Tip Reporting Form: Online reporting form through the Federal Bureau of Investigation for cases of online child exploitation.
• National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s Cyber Tipline (NCMEC): Online reporting tool for child sexual exploitation in any country. This includes suspected online enticement of children for sexual acts, extra-familial child sexual molestation, child pornography, child sex tourism, child sex trafficking, unsolicited obscene materials sent to a child, misleading domain names, and misleading words or digital images. 

Dial 800-843-5678. The line is open 24/7 and the FBI reviews reports from the NCMEC Cyber Tipline on a continuous basis. 

• NCMEC’s Take It Down Online Reporting Tool: Online reporting tool used to remove explicit photos of children online.

• U.S. End FGM/C: Non-profit focused on providing information and resources on FGM/C for victims in the United States.
• DHS ICE Homeland Security Investigations Online Tip Form: Use this form to report crime. You can also dial 866-347-2423.
• Review our information and factsheets on FGM/C.

Financial scams and fraud

• Federal Trade Commission Online Fraud Reporting Tool: Online form to report internet fraud to the FTC. You may also report by phone, toll-free, at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). 
• FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): Form to file a financial loss complaint or report tips about other online criminal activity to the FBI.
• United States Secret Service Website for Protecting Yourself from Fraud and Scams: Information  on types of fraud and scams the United States Secret Service investigates. If you are the victim of Advanced Fee Fraud, contact the nearest Field Office of the United States Secret Service by phone.
• U.S. Postal Inspector: Reporting tool when the U.S. mail system is used in a fraud scheme, even if it started by telephone or on the Internet. 
• FTC’s Identity Theft Center: This site has important resources for protecting you from identity theft.
• Review our information on Scams.

Human trafficking

• National Human Trafficking Tip Line: Advocates are available 24/7 to take reports of potential human trafficking. You can also contact them at 1-888-373-7888, or text HELP to BeFree 233733.
• FBI Online Tip Reporting Form: A form to report tips online to the FBI.
• National Human Trafficking Resource Center/Polaris Project: Non-profit helping victims of human trafficking.

Terrorism

• International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program (ITVERP): Organization that provides financial reimbursement for qualifying expenses such as medical, mental health, property loss, and funeral expenses. Learn about eligibility, what expenses are covered, and how to apply.
• U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigations Victim Services Division:  The Victim Services Division (VSD) informs, supports, and assists victims in navigating the aftermath of crime and the criminal justice process with dignity and resilience. 
• U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice for Victims of Overseas Terrorism: U.S. Department of Justice office which supports U.S. victims of terrorism abroad. It helps victims in getting information, staying engaged through terrorism prosecutions, and using their voice during proceedings, as permitted by foreign law.
• Review our information on Terrorism.

Crisis hotlines and victim services programs

• The Trevor Project: Organization focused on suicide prevention efforts. Call to speak with a trained counselor for confidential assistance.
• National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: United States-based suicide prevention network of over 200+ crisis centers. It provides 24/7 help via a toll-free hotline: 988. Help is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
• U.S. State Victim Compensation Programs: All states receive federal funds from the DOJ’s Office for Victims of Crime to support local victim assistance and victim compensation programs. Contact the victim compensation program in your state for more information about eligibility and the application process.