⚡ DIRECT ACCESS TO THE OFFICIAL SYSTEM
Victim Support Services — PNC + MP
If you are a victim or family member:
  • 📄 Valid DPI yours and the victims if filing for another
  • 📋 Filed complaint (PNC or MP) — CASE number
  • 📞 Active email and phone for communication
  • 📷 Case documentation: medical certificate, photos, messages
  • 🏥 Receptiveness to support: psychological and legal — both free
💰 Cost: Free · ⏱ Time: Immediate + ongoing · 🆔 Verified: May 2026 · 📜 Legal basis: Decree 21-2016

Victim Support Services is the comprehensive system that the National Civil Police, Public Ministry, IDPP, INACIF, and specialized organizations coordinate under Decree 21-2016 (Law for the Protection of Crime Victims) to support any crime victim in Guatemala. Covers legal, psychological, medical, physical, and social support — all free and continuous throughout the criminal process.

Summary: Free (Q0). Available for direct victims (the affected person) and indirect victims (family, dependents). Requested at any PNC sub-station, by calling 110/1572, or at the MPs Victim Care Office (OAV). Support lasts as long as the victim needs it — no time limit.

Applies to: victims of any crime (domestic violence, robbery with violence, serious fraud, kidnapping, human trafficking, traffic accident with injuries, third-party injuries) and their direct family members.

What does support include?

  • Assigned MP prosecutor based on crime type (Women, Children, Trafficking, Organized Crime, Economic Crimes, etc.)
  • IDPP lawyer (Public Criminal Defense Institute) if you need parallel civil action
  • Advice on your rights as a victim in the criminal process
  • Court accompaniment with explanation of what’s happening and what’s being decided

Psychological support (free)

  • Individual therapy via MP, public hospitals (Roosevelt, San Juan de Dios, mental health)
  • Group therapy with other victims of the same crime type
  • 24/7 crisis care via 1572 (MP)
  • Referral to specialized organizations: Mujeres Transformando el Mundo (gender violence), CONACMI (child abuse), La Alianza Association (trafficking)

Medical support (free)

  • INACIF forensic exam to document physical and psychological injuries
  • Public hospitals for medical treatment (Roosevelt, San Juan de Dios)
  • Fundabiem for post-violence physical rehabilitation
  • Cancer League and others if the victim has chronic sequelae

Physical / protection support (free)

  • Restraining order against the abuser (justice of peace via PNC)
  • PNC escort in extreme cases (protected witness, credible threats to life)
  • Identity change and relocation in exceptional programs (key witnesses in organized crime cases)
  • Home surveillance in cases of continued risk

Social support (free)

  • Shelter if needs to leave home (CONACMI, Refugio Vida, SEPREM, SVET)
  • State subsidy management (violence victims have priority access)
  • Support for school-age children via MINEDUC
  • Social work for labor and economic reintegration

Who can request support?

Type of victimCoverage
Direct victim (person affected by the crime)✅ Full package
Spouse / partner of direct victim✅ Indirect support
Minor children✅ Special pediatric priority
Parents and siblings of direct victim✅ If dependence or trauma
Economic dependents of victim✅ Provisional pensions if applicable
Crime witnesses✅ Protection if threatened
Indirect victims in homicide (family of deceased)✅ Psychological support + civil action

How to request support

Option 1: Via PNC

  • Call 110 or go in person to any PNC sub-station
  • Tell the officer you are a crime victim and need support
  • The officer interviews you and refers to the corresponding MP Victim Care Office (OAV)

Option 2: Via MP directly

  • Call 1572 (Anti-Violence Hotline, also serves other victims)
  • Go to MP headquarters (zone 1) or any territorial prosecutor
  • Ask for “Victim Care” or “OAV”

Option 3: Via Digital Station

Option 4: Via specialized organization

Some organizations receive directly and then coordinate with PNC/MP:

  • Mujeres Transformando el Mundo (gender violence): 2360-2940
  • CONACMI (child abuse): consult updated directory
  • Refugio Vida: consult online references
  • Sobrevivientes Foundation: 2261-7540

Step-by-step process

1. First contact

PNC, MP, or organization interviews you to understand the case. Bring all documentation: DPI, prior complaint if you have one, medical certificate, photos, evidence.

2. Team assignment

The MP OAV assigns a team: prosecutor, psychologist, social worker. If the case warrants civil action, also IDPP. They give you direct numbers for ongoing communication.

3. Support plan

The team develops a personalized plan: what type of support you need (weekly therapy, escort, shelter, legal advice). Reviewed every 30-60 days.

4. Service coordination

The OAV connects you with: hospitals for medical/psychological care, INACIF for forensics, specialized organizations for group therapy, MINEDUC if children are affected, IGSS if you’re a member.

5. Follow-up during criminal process

Court accompaniment, legal jargon translation, emotional support pre/post hearing. The OAV informs you of every step of the process.

6. Closure or continuation

When the criminal process ends (firm sentence), it is evaluated whether you still need support. If yes (serious cases), continues with specialized organizations. If no, formal closure with optional follow-up.

Cost and timing

ItemDetail
Total costFree (Q0)
First contactImmediate (same day)
OAV team assignment1-3 business days
Start of psychological therapy1-2 weeks (depends on availability)
IDPP legal action7-15 days for lawyer assignment
Total support durationAs long as the victim needs it

Common mistakes

  • Not knowing support exists — many victims spend thousands of quetzales on private lawyers without knowing IDPP gives free defense
  • Accepting “tramitador lawyer” support that charges — if you pay, it is NOT the official system. Call 110 or 1572 directly.
  • Not requesting psychological therapy due to stigma — post-trauma mental health is critical. Free state and organization therapy is good quality.
  • Waiting for the process to end to ask for support — it can be requested from day 1 and improves case outcome

Diaspora — victim in the USA with family member in Guatemala

If you’re Guatemalan in the USA and a family member in Guatemala was a victim of a serious crime (homicide, rape, kidnapping, fatal accident):

  • Call +502-1572 (MP Victim Care) from your US cell phone — operators speak Spanish
  • Contact your Guatemalan consulate (see list) — they coordinate with MP and PNC, can help with body repatriation if applicable
  • MP offers videoconference for family members abroad — you can participate in hearings and give testimony without traveling
  • Remote psychological support: organizations like Mujeres Transformando el Mundo and Sobrevivientes Foundation offer Zoom sessions for diaspora
  • If victim survives and needs specialized medical care in the USA, the consulate can manage humanitarian visa

For Guatemalans who are victims IN the USA (not in Guatemala), support is provided by US authorities + your Guatemalan consulate for cultural support.