Gender-Based Violence Resources

DHS has published pamphlets and flyers that define what GBV is, who is affected, and how and where to seek help if you or someone you know is experiencing GBV. These materials are available in English, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Traditional), French, Hindi, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Urdu.

• The Office on Violence Against Women at the U.S. Department of Justice maintains a webpage with resources for survivors. 
   
• The Office of Family Violence Prevention and Services at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services lists community resources for domestic violence survivors. 

The Blue Campaign is a national public awareness campaign designed to educate the public, law enforcement, and other industry partners to recognize the indicators of human trafficking and respond appropriately to possible cases. The Blue Campaign works closely with DHS components to develop general awareness trainings, as well as specific educational resources to reduce victimization within vulnerable populations.

The DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking (CCHT) is a DHS-wide initiative to advance law enforcement operations that counter human trafficking, protect victims, and enhance prevention efforts by aligning the capabilities and expertise of various DHS components. 

CRCL investigates complaints from the public alleging violations of the confidentiality provisions of 8 U.S.C. § 1367, as well as allegations of civil rights violations, including those related to DHS immigration relief for trafficking. Following an investigation, CRCL may make recommendations, such as new or updated training or policy revisions. 

Additionally, CRCL works proactively and on a broader level with DHS Components on creating or updating policy and DHS directives as needed. For more information on how to file a complaint with DHS and CRCL, please click here. 

The Victim Assistance Program (VAP) was established in Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to help victims identified in HSI criminal investigations in accordance with federal law. Using a victim-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive approach, VAP personnel help victims identified in a wide range of federal crimes investigated by HSI. The VAP’s mission includes giving these victims information and referrals for services, which can empower them and help them participate in the criminal justice process.

• The ICE “Sexual Abuse and Assault Awareness” pamphlet is available to all ICE detainees and provides information about ICE sexual abuse and assault definitions, reporting methods, ways to avoid sexual abuse and assault, and what to expect after reporting. 
  • The pamphlet is available in English and Spanish.   
     
• ICE maintains a Sexual Abuse and Assault Prevention and Intervention (SAAPI) program that ensures effective procedures for preventing, reporting, responding to, investigating, and tracking incidents or allegations of sexual abuse or assault against individuals in ICE detention. 
  • SAAPI program.
     
• The Victims Engagement and Services Line(VESL) serves as a comprehensive and inclusive support system for all victims, regardless of immigration status or the immigration status of the perpetrator. 
  • To contact VESL, call 1-833-383-1465.
     
• Individuals across the world can report suspicious criminal activity to the ICE Tip Line 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Highly trained specialists take reports from both the public and law enforcement agencies on more than 400 laws enforced by ICE.
  • Call: 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423, from the U.S. and Canada)
  • Call: 802-872-6199 (from other locations around the globe)
  • Call for hearing impaired only: 802-872-6196
  • ICE Tip Form 

The Department's efforts to combat GBV align with many other initiatives across the U.S. Government: 

Broad-Based Plans

• The U.S. National Plan to End Gender-Based Violence: Strategies for Action (May 2023) advances a government-wide approach to preventing and addressing GBV.
• The National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality (October 2021) sets forth a comprehensive agenda to advance gender equity and equality in domestic and foreign policy.

Human Trafficking Strategies

• The White House National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking (December 2021) outlines a comprehensive approach to combat human trafficking.
• The DHS Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking, the Importation of Goods Produced with Forced Labor, and Child Sexual Exploitation(January 2020) articulates DHS’s long-term approach to combating these crimes, and serves as a framework to prioritize resources and monitor progress.

Global Engagement

• The 2023 U.S. Strategy and National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security(October 2023) describes actions in support of the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Act of 2017. The WPS Act codified the U.S. Government’s sustained commitment to women’s meaningful participation in peace and security processes.
• The U.S. Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence Globally (December 2022) elevates the human rights of women and girls as a U.S. national security, diplomatic, and foreign assistance priority. 
• The Presidential Memorandum on Promoting Accountability for Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (November 2022) enhances U.S. policy and efforts to prevent and respond to conflict-related sexual violence worldwide by utilizing sanction authority and powers of the executive branch to advance global gender equity and equality.

The Office for Victim of Crimes Training and Technical Assistance Center offers resources, including web-based trainings, toolkits, e-guides, and webinars, to help victim service providers, first responders, community organizations, and allied professionals build their capacity to serve crime victims.

The Blue Campaign offers a wide range of training opportunities for the public about human trafficking, including:

• General Public Indicators Training Course
• First Responder Training
• Disaster Responder Training
• Convenience Retail Employee Training
• Youth Professional and Caretaker Training
• Gender-Based Violence Awareness Course for Airport and Private Aviation Personnel

The U.S. Department of State offers an online training module, Understanding Trauma and Trauma-Informed Approaches, that provides information on trauma-informed principles and how to engage with survivors of human trafficking while minimizing the risk of re-traumatization. 

• Law Enforcement Awareness Training
• Campus Law Enforcement Training
• Continued Presence Awareness Training

These guides provide law enforcement officials with information about U and T visa requirements, law enforcement roles and responsibilities, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Continued presence is a temporary immigration designation provided to non-citizens identified by law enforcement as victims of a “severe form of trafficking in persons” who may be potential witnesses. 

This guide provides an overview of continued presence with guidance for law enforcement officials and civil attorneys on preparing and submitting requests for continued presence.

The FLETC Human Trafficking Awareness Training is open to federal, state, local, tribal, and military law enforcement officers or agents, or others sponsored by a law enforcement agency. It covers indicators of human trafficking that law enforcement officials and the private sector may observe in industries known for human trafficking, as well as an overview of federal statutes and applicable state law. FLETC is also developing a Sexual Assault Investigations Program for law enforcement agents and support personnel.