Staying Safe When You Go Abroad
Information for Men and Women About Avoiding Sexually Harassing Situations in Another Country.
What to Do If You Are Assaulted, Robbed or Attacked
If a crime is committed against you, immediately notify your program director who will advise you of the best course of action. You may also choose to go to the police. The consular officers at your embassy will probably do little more than tell you to report it to the police, although they may keep a statistical account of the complaints they receive.
There are several attitudes that travelers (and locals) may have about reporting crimes to the police. The first is natural indignation and the belief that crime must be stopped and criminals apprehended. Second is the belief that going to the police won't help. Third, going to the police could be dangerous and just get you into more trouble.
In countries with reasonably civilized and passably honest systems of government and policing, reporting crimes can be the best thing to do. While you may not get any personal satisfaction, an increase in reported crimes against tourists could eventually mobilize the authorities to take more effective action to prevent crime.