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 can assist you in managing the practical consequences of being a crime victim.
The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Brazil 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. We can help you 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.
One of the first things you should do in the event of a robbery or theft is to report the loss to the police. The police report may be crucial to any insurance claims you might make and is also needed to replace your Brazilian entry stamp by the Brazilian Immigration Service.
The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Brazil can assist you in replacing your passport, but you will also want to take care of canceling stolen credit cards, replacing travelers’ checks, etc.
For more information access the Help for U.S. Citizen Victims of Crime Overseas page at the State Department website.
What We Can Do:
- 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.
- Explain how 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 Brazil.
- Provide you with information about crime victim assistance resources in your state of residence if you are returning to the United States.
MISSING PERSONS / WELFARE
If you have reason to believe that a family member or friend has disappeared in Brazil, please contact the American Citizen’s Services Unit, or the emergency duty officer if you are calling after hours. Privacy Act: Please note that the U.S. Privacy Act may limit what information we can share about a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR, or Green Card holder). U.S. citizens can waive their rights under the Privacy Act by completing a Privacy Act Waiver (PDF file 28 KB). Without this permission we can only notify the individual of your concern and suggest that they contact you directly. The more information you provide about the individual, the better we may be able to help. In order to assist us in locating the U.S. 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
- Name, address, telephone number and relationship with the person in the U.S. they should contact.
Domestic Violence Resources
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 assistance to victims of domestic violence and abuse. NATIONAL RESOURCES IN BRAZIL: Assistance Center for Women in Situations of Violence (Central de Atendimento à Mulher em Situação de Violência): Dial 180. 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 (local police) from Brazil. To call from the U.S. using a service for international collect calls, you may dial 1-800-745-5521; select option 2 for English. Public Defense (Defensoria Pública): Provides free legal assistance. Contact information can be found at: https://www.cnj.jus.br/poder-judiciario/defensoria-publica/
LOCAL RESOURCES:
Bahia
Delegacias Especializadas de Atendimento à Mulher (DEAM) – Brazilian police agency specialized in crimes against women. Address: Rua Padre Luiz Filgueiras s/n Brotas. Salvador, BA. Phone: + 55 (71) 3116-7000 / 7003. E-mail: deam.ssaba@bol.com.br or deam.brotas@pcivil.ba.gov.br
U.S. Consular Agency Salvador – Phone: +55 (21) 3823-2000. 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, Brasília – Federal District, 70234-400, Brazil. 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 (after hours). 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: +55 (85) 3108-2950.
U.S. Consular Agency Fortaleza – Phone: +55 (85) 3021-5200 (9:00 am – 1:00 pm) or +55 (81) 99916-9470 (after hours). 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 (after hours). Email: ACSRio@state.gov
Pernambuco
Centro Especializado de Atendimento à Mulher Clarice Lispector – 24-hour hotline provides guidance and psychological support through WhatsApp for victims in the state of Pernambuco. Phone: + 55 (81) 99488-6138. Address: Rua Doutor Silva Ferreira, 122, Santo Amaro. Recife, PE.
Central de Teleatendimento a Cidadã 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. Address: Travessa Pombal, s/n, Santo Amaro Recife. Phone: +55 (81) 3184-3352.
U.S. Consulate General Recife – Phone: +55 (81) 3416-3050 (7:00 am – 4:00 pm) or +55 (81) 99916-9470 (after hours). Email: RecifeACS@state.gov
Rio de Janeiro
Delegacias Especializadas de Atendimento à Mulher (DEAM) – Brazilian police agency specialized in crimes against women. Address: Rua da Relação, 42 – 11º andar – Centro. Phone: +55 (21) 2334-9749 or +55 (21) 2332-9960.
U.S. Consulate General Rio de Janeiro – Phone: +55 (21) 3823-2000 (8:00 am- 5:00 pm) or +55 (21) 3823-2029 (after hours). Email: ACSRio@state.gov.
Rio Grande do Sul
Delegacias Especializadas de 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: +55 (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: + 55 (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: +55 (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: +55 (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: +55 (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: 1-800-799-7233.
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.
