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Preparing
for Worst-Case Scenarios:
If You Become a Victim of Crime or a Critical Event
Abroad
Despite all of your
efforts to reduce exposure to risks and to avoid threats,
there is a chance you may still become the victim of a
crime or critical event, just as it could in the U.S.
It is important to try to avoid problems, but also
to be prepared to respond if a problem does occur. In the
past ten years, there have been students who have fell
victim to various safety problems, from pick-pocketing to
violent crime, from flooding to earthquakes, to mental
health challenges. It
is important to be prepared to respond to challenges
abroad.
The U.S. Department of
State provides assistance for Americans abroad who are
victims of crime. The Crime
Overseas website lets you know who to contact in
this crisis, the importance about understanding your
reaction to the crime, and more resources for victims. The
Department of State also recommends
to:
- Monitor
the Department
of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs home page and
the home page for the U.S. Embassy in the foreign
country for up-to-date information about the crisis.
- If
a crisis occurs in a country you are visiting, contact
your family in the United States to reassure them of
your whereabouts and safety.
- Contact
the U.S. Embassy or Consulate if you need help.
- Be
sure to register with the U.S.
Embassy or Consulate on-line, by phone, email, fax
or in person. Registration helps consular staff
contact you if necessary and allows you to receive
situation updates.
- Monitor
Voice of America and BBC broadcasts for announcements.
(Taken from the State Department’s Crisis
Abroad site Involving American Citizens)
The SAFETI Clearinghouse states that “One way that
institutions could better inform students is by having a
better idea of the incidents of crime and violence abroad
against their students by asking about it in evaluations.
Pre-departure and on-site orientations should provide
information regarding the safety of the country/region the
students are going to. If the possibility of political
violence exists, students should be advised on how to
minimize risks and avoid dangers so they do not become
targets of political violence.” More sample forms and
links to other resources are available at http://globaled.us/irl/irlcc6.html.
The
Study
Abroad Student Handbook Crisis Management page lists
information on how to better cope during a crisis. Being
able to deal well with a crisis situation includes
understanding your emotions, keeping yourself as safe as
possible. The Emergency Card has you list important
contact numbers and personal information to leave with
emergency contact. The Personal Emergency Action Plan
helps you create a strategy-planning device in case of an
emergency. The Emergency
Action Plan Steps includes a list of suggested
documents and items to help you respond more effectively
during an emergency.
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