What the embassy can do to help

• We can give general information about local police and legal procedures. We can’t give you legal advice, but we can point you in the right direction to get advice.
• If you need medical treatment, we can help you to contact a local doctor.
• If you want us to, we can contact your relatives and friends and let them know what has happened. We can offer you financial help only in line with our policy.
• We cannot collect evidence or investigate crimes ourselves, and in many countries investigating authorities and the courts will refuse to answer enquiries from other people and organisations, including embassy staff. So, you should consider appointing a local lawyer who can look after your interests in court, and follow any trial for you. We can give you a list of local English-speaking lawyers. We would not ordinarily go to a court case involving a British national and cannot influence the outcome of any trial.
• Back in the UK, you may feel you would benefit from extra support to help you cope with the effects of the crime. Organisations such as Victim Support can help www.victimsupport.org.
• We have a leaflet called Victims of crime abroad which offers more detailed information. You can find details on our travel website, under 'Our Publications'.

If you are a victim of crime in Ecuador, please contact the nearest police station to report the crime and the loss of any belongings or documents. Ask the police to contact the Embassy/Consulate. We can provide appropriate assistance and check that the local authorities are handling your case correctly.

In order to open an investigation into a crime, a statement would need to be given before a State/District Prosecutor. The State/District Prosecutor would direct an investigation, with the help of the judicial police.