§258 Homeland Security Investigations Victim Assistance Program

Summary

Creates a Victim Assistance Program inside Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Forensic interview specialist — a trained interviewer who works with crime victims. Victim — as defined in another federal law. Victim assistance specialist — a trained helper who works with victims and with local groups. The program must give oversight, guidance, training, travel, equipment, and coordination for HSI victim help staff across the U.S. It must recruit at least 1 forensic interview specialist and 1 victim assistance specialist for each HSI Special Agent in Charge office, and at least 1 victim assistance specialist for every HSI office on a human trafficking task force or a child sexual exploitation task force. It must support regional attaché offices when needed, provide training on victims’ rights, policies, and roles, use a victim-centered, trauma-informed, and linguistically appropriate approach when possible, and buy emergency items like food, clothing, hygiene supplies, transportation, and temporary shelter if not provided by a nonprofit.