If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call 190 immediately.

Being the victim of a crime in a foreign country can be a devastating and traumatic experience. While no one can undo the emotional trauma, physical injury, or financial loss associated with these incidents, the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Brazil are very concerned about violent crimes committed against U.S. citizens visiting and living in Brazil.

We can assist you in managing the practical consequences of being a crime victim. We can provide you with information about accessing the local criminal justice system, as well as other resources for crime victims abroad and in the United States. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Brazil can assist you to find appropriate medical care, contact family or friends on your behalf, and explain how funds can be transferred if needed. We cannot serve as your legal advocate, but can refer you to a list of attorneys here in Brazil.

In Brazil, violence and abuse against partners and family members are crimes. Victims of abuse or domestic violence are strongly encouraged to seek support and assistance as soon as possible. Following is a list of agencies that offer professional counseling and provide assistance to victims of domestic violence and abuse.

National Resources in Brazil:

· Central de Atendimento à Mulher em Situação de Violência
This free, anonymous hotline is for domestic violence complaints. If you or someone you know is affected by domestic violence, please dial 180 or 190 from Brazil.To call from the U.S, dial 1-800-745-5521, select option 1

· Public Defense (Defensoria Pública)
Provides free legal assistance. Brazilian state telephone numbers can be reached at: https://www.cnj.jus.br/poder-judiciario/defensoria-publica/

Local Brazilian Resources:

Bahia

· Delegacias Especializadas de Atendimento à Mulher (DEAM) – Brazilian police agency specialized in crimes against women. Salvador , Bahia

· U.S. Consular Agency Salvador – Phone: 55(71) 3113-2090/91 (8:30 am- 11:30 am) or 55(21) 3823-2029. Email: SalvadorACS@state.gov

Brasília

· Delegacias Especializadas de Atendimento à Mulher (DEAM) – Brazilian police agency specialized in crimes against women. Address: SHCS EQS 204/205 – Asa Sul, Brasilia – Federal District, 70234-400, Brazil. Open 24 hours. Phone: 55(61) 3207-6172.

· Centro Especializado de Atendimento a Mulher (CEAM) – Provides psychological assistance and legal guidance for women in situations of violence.

· U.S. Embassy Brasilia – Phone: 55(61) 3312-7000 (8:00 am – 5:00 pm) or 55(61) 3312-7400. Email: BrasiliaACS@state.gov.

Ceará

· Delegacias Especializadas de Atendimento à Mulher (DEAM) – Brazilian police agency specialized in crimes against women. Address: Teles de Sousa s/n Fortaleza- CE. Open 24 hours. Phone: 85-3108-2950.

· U.S. Consular Agency Fortaleza – Phone: 55(85) 3021-5200 (9:00 am – 1:00 pm) 55(81) 99916-9470. Email: FortalezaACS@state.gov.

Espírito Santo

· Delegacias Especializadas de Atendimento à Mulher (DEAM) – Brazilian police agency specialized in crimes against women.

· U.S. Consulate General Rio de Janeiro – Phone: 55(21) 3823-2000 (8:00 am- 5:00 pm) or 55(21) 3823-2029. Email: ACSRio@state.gov.

Pernambuco

· Centro Especializado de Atendimento a Mulher Clarice Lispector – 24 hour hotline provides guidance and psychological support through WhatsApp for victims in the state of Pernambuco. Phone: (81) 99488-6138.

· Central de Teleatendimento a Cidada Pernambucana – Center for guidance and psychological support for victims of domestic violence. Address: Avenida Cais do Apolo, n 222, Centro- Recife. Hours: 8:00am-6:00pm on business days. Virtual appointments available at ouvidoria@secmulher.gov.pe.br.

· Delegacias Especializadas de Atendimento à Mulher (DEAM) – Brazilian police agency specialized in crimes against women. Travessa Pombal, s/n, Santo Amaro Recife. Phone: 81-3184-3352.

· U.S. Consulate General Recife – Phone: 55(81) 3416-3050 or 99916-9470 or (81) 3416-3060 (7:00 am – 4:00 pm); 55(81). Email: RecifeACS@state.gov.

Rio de Janeiro

· Delegacias Especializadas de Atendimento à Mulher (DEAM) – Brazilian police agency specialized in crimes against women.

· U.S. Consulate General Rio de Janeiro – Phone: 55(21) 3823-2000 or 55(21) 3823-2029 (8:00 am- 5:00 pm). Email: ACSRio@state.gov.

Rio Grande do Sul

· Delegacia Especializada no Atendimento à Mulher (DEAM) – Brazilian police agency specialized in crimes against women. Address: Rua Prof. Freitas e Castro, 701-739 – Azenha, Porto Alegre – RS, 90160-091 Phone: (51) 3288-2172.

· Centro Estadual de Referência da Mulher Vânia Araújo Machado (CRMVAM) – Provides legal assistance and psychological counseling for vistimes of domestic violence. Phone: (51) 3286-7573 / 3252-8800. Email: crm@sdstjdh.rs.gov.br. Address: Travessa Tuyuty, nº10 – Loja 4, at the corner of Rua André da Rocha, Centro Histórico, Porto Alegre/RS CEP 90050-270.

· U.S. Consulate General Porto Alegre – Phone: 55(51) 3345-6000 or 55(51) 98293-0446 (Monday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.) Email: PortoAlegreACS@state.gov.

Santa Catarina

· Delegacia de Proteção à Mulher (6º Distrito Policial de Proteção Mulher) – Police station for women’s protection – Address: Rua Rui Barbosa, 713 – Agronômica, Florianópolis/SC, 88025-301 Phone: (48) 3665-6528

· Centro de Referência de Atendimento à Mulher em Situação de Violência – Support center serving women in domestic violence situations. Address: Rua Delminda da Silveira s/nº- by the 6ª Delegacia de Polícia da Capital – Agronômica, Florianópolis/SC. Phone: (48) 3224-7373 / 3224-6605. Email: cremvfloripa@gmail.com.

· U.S. Consulate General Porto Alegre – Phone: 55(51) 3345-6000 or 55(51) 98293-0446. Email: PortoAlegreACS@state.gov.

São Paulo

· Casa Eliane de Grammont – Provides assistance and psychological support to victims of domestic violence. Address: R. Dr. Bacelar, 20 – Vila Clementino, São Paulo – SP. Phone: (11) 5549-9339.

· Delegacia de Defesa da Mulher – Victims of domestic violence can submit a police report online.

· Casa da Mulher Brasileira – Provides legal assistance and psychological support to victims of domestic violence.

· U.S. Consulate General São Paulo – Phone: 55(11) 3250-5000 or 55(11) 3250-5373 (7:30am – 4:30 pm). Email: SaoPauloACS@state.gov.

Resources in the United States:

· National Domestic Violence Hotline -free 24/7 hotline for crisis counseling and referrals: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).

· U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women – Information about local domestic violence victim assistance coalitions.

· National Coalition Against Domestic Violence – The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence offers a safe home and 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.

· International Directory of Domestic Violence Agencies – Global list of abuse hotlines, shelters, refuges, crisis centers and women’s organizations, plus domestic violence information in over 90 languages.

· RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network) – Toll-free 24/7 hotline for sexual assault counseling and referrals: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). RAINN also offers a hotline that provides live, secure, anonymous crisis support for victims of sexual violence, their friends, and families over RAINN’s website. The Online Hotline is free of charge and is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

If you have reason to believe that a family member or friend has disappeared in Brazil, the Embassy/ Consulate can help you locate the individual. Please contact the American Citizen’s Services Unit, or the emergency duty officer if you are calling after hours.

Please note, however, that the U.S. Federal Law under the Privacy Act limits what we can tell you after our interaction with any American over 18 years old. The Embassy and Consulates cannot release any information about an American’s situation without his or her express permission to waive the Privacy Act.

Without this permission we can only notify the individual of your concern and suggest that they contact you directly.

In order to assist us in locating the US citizen abroad, it is helpful to have the following information available:

• Name of the U.S. citizen abroad
• Date and place of birth
• Passport number (if known)
• Itinerary
• Last known address and phone number
• Reason for travel/residence abroad
• Date of last contact
• Other contacts abroad (friends, business associates, hotel, etc.)
• Caller’s full name, address, phone number and relationship

For Emergency Family Messages also include:

• Nature of emergency
• What you want the person told about the emergency
• Name, address and telephone number and relationship with person in the U.S. they should contact

The Privacy Act of 1974 governs the collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of personally identifiable information about individual American citizens that is maintained in government databases and files.  Under the Privacy Act, the United States government may not:

• Disclose personally identifiable information about any American citizen. This includes information about an American citizen’s welfare, whereabouts, travel intentions, or legal problems.
• Disclose this or any other information about an American citizen to anyone, including family members or Congressional representatives,
• Disclose any non-public information about an American citizen to members of the media or of foreign governments.

According to the Privacy Act of 1974, no official of the United States government may disclose any information about an American Citizen without his or her express written permission.

The officers of the United States Department of State take seriously their responsibilities under the Privacy Act to protect the interests and information of American citizens, and are grateful for your understanding.

American citizens can waive their rights under the Privacy Act by completing a  Privacy Act Waiver (PDF file 28 KB).

• Help you replace a lost/stolen passport;
• Help you find appropriate medical care if you are injured;
• Assist you with emergency needs that arise as a result of the crime, such as finding shelter, food, or clothing;
• Help you contact your family, friends, or employer, if you wish;
• Explain how and where you can report the crime to local law enforcement officials;
• Provide you with general information about the criminal justice process in Brazil;
• Provide you with information about resources for crime victims in Brazil;
• Provide you with a list of attorneys practicing in the Brazil;
• Provide you with information about crime victim assistance resources in your state of residence, if you are returning to the United States.

• Provide legal advice or represent you in court;
• Pay legal fees or other expenses for you;
• Request preferential treatment for U.S. citizens during legal proceedings in Brazil.