6 U.S.C. § 258: Homeland Security Investigations Victim Assistance Program

The term “forensic interview specialist” is an interview professional who has specialized experience and training in conducting trauma-informed forensic interviews with victims of crime. The term “victim” has the meaning given such term in section 20141(e)(2) of title 34 . has experience working with victims of crime in a service capacity; has been trained on the exposure of various forms of trauma and other stressors experienced in working with victims; and may have experience working with local government and community-based organizations, including victim advocacy centers, child advocacy centers, child welfare agencies, faith-based organizations, and other social service programs. There is established, in Homeland Security Investigations of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Victim Assistance Program. provide oversight, guidance, training, travel, equipment, and coordination to Homeland Security Investigations victim assistance personnel throughout the United States; 1 forensic interview specialist and 1 victim assistance specialist for each Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge office; every Homeland Security Investigations office participating in a human trafficking task force; and every Homeland Security Investigations office participating in a child sexual exploitation task force; support Homeland Security Investigations regional attaché offices, to the extent necessary; victim-centered; trauma-informed; and linguistically appropriate, to the extent feasible; and purchase emergency items that are needed to assist identified victims in Homeland Security Investigations criminal investigations, including food, clothing, hygiene products, transportation, and temporary shelter that is not otherwise provided by a nongovernmental organization. There is established, in Homeland Security Investigations of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Investigators Maintain Purposeful Awareness to Combat Trafficking Trauma Program (referred to in this Act [see Short Title of 2024 Amendment note set out under section 101 of this title ] as the ‘IMPACTT Program’). self-awareness training for the relevant employees on recognizing the signs of burnout, compassion fatigue, critical incident stress, traumatic stress, posttraumatic stress, secondary traumatic stress, and vicarious trauma; provides mechanisms for self-care and resilience and notification of resources that are available through U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, such as the Employee Assistance Program, the Peer Support Program, the Chaplain Program, and other relevant accredited programs that are available; and provides examples of potential resources that are available outside of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which may include, faith-based and community-based resources; and provide [sic] additional training to first line supervisors of relevant employees on recognizing the signs referred to in subparagraph (A) and the appropriate responses to employees exhibiting such signs; have been trained on the exposure of various forms of trauma and other stressors experienced in working with victims; and may have experience working with faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, counseling programs, or other social service programs; and additional subject matter experts who are available; and appropriate program materials are distributed; training is offered to all relevant employees; and any needed travel and equipment is provided.”