Resource Guide for Serving U.S. Citizens Victimized Abroad

• NCJ Number: 221889
• Date Published: April 2008
• Length: 1 page
• Agencies: OVC
• Publication Type: Handbook

Annotation

The purpose of this guide is to help victim service providers develop strategic plans and action plans to ensure that key personnel, resources, and protocols are in place to respond to victimization abroad.

Abstract

Assisting United States citizens who have been victimized abroad calls for a thorough understanding of the unique challenges they are likely to encounter, comprehensive knowledge of available resources, and systematic advance planning. This guide developed by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) features essential information and resources to assist those individuals victimized abroad. The guide is divided into six areas that include: (1) responding to victimization abroad; (2) coordinating victim services; (3) if the victim remains abroad; (4) if the victim returns to the United States; (5) international terrorism; and (6) crime victim compensation. Checklists also accompany the guide providing a structured way to ensure that victim service providers cover key issues in assessing and responding to the needs of United States citizens who are victims of crimes overseas. Being victimized while abroad may be more devastating because the victims are away from familiar settings, family members, and medical providers who speak their native language. This resource guide will help victim service providers develop and act upon strategic plans to ensure key personnel, resources, and protocols are in place for effective response to those victimized abroad.