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, and/or financial loss you may have experienced, the ACS Unit at the U.S. Embassy in Nassau stands ready to help. We are very concerned about crimes committed against U.S. citizens in The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCIs).
An American Citizen who is the victim of a crime in The Bahamas or the TCIs should:
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Contact local police (in an emergency, dial “911 or 919”) to report the incident and obtain immediate help with safety concerns. The police will arrange for a medical examination and social help if needed.
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Contact the consular section of the U.S. embassy for assistance. The ACS Unit can be reached during working hours at 242-328-3496. (In emergency circumstances, an Embassy Duty Officer can be reached after hours and on weekends by calling 242-357-7004.)
Consular personnel are familiar with local government agencies and resources. They can help American crime victims with issues such as:
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Contacting family, friends, or employers;
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Obtaining appropriate medical care;
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Addressing emergency needs that arise as a result of the crime;
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Obtaining general information about the local criminal justice process and information about prosecution;
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Obtaining information about local resources to assist victims;
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Obtaining information about crime victim assistance and compensation programs in the U.S.;
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Obtaining a list of local attorneys;
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Reporting stolen credit cards and other documents;
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Changing travel tickets or reservations; and
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Replacing a stolen passport, usually within one working day;
Consular officials cannot, however, investigate crimes, provide legal advice or represent you in court, serve as official interpreters or translators, or pay legal, medical, or other fees for you.
We encourage all Americans who have been victims of crime while in The Bahamas or the TCIs to report the crime to the police in the location where the crime occurred as soon as possible. This is particularly important to ensure the best possibility of a successful investigation and prosecution.