AFS has many procedures in place to protect the safety and well-being of our students. We hope that these procedures allow for everyone to have a safe and fun time while on their AFS program. However, occasionally, an incident may occur that makes you uncomfortable or nervous. If this happens, please talk to your host family, liaison, a local volunteer or AFS staff person, even if you are not sure if there is cause for alarm.
We understand that in many cultures it may not be acceptable to report some incidents and reporting some incidents may make you uncomfortable. However, you must do so for AFS to help ensure your safety and well-being while on the program.
Please tell us if:
- You or another AFS student are experiencing dangerous and unsuitable living conditions, theft, inappropriate relationships, mold, filth, fire hazards, inadequate food or pest infestations.
- You, or another AFS student, are seriously injured, hospitalized or experiencing physical or mental health concerns.
- You or a host family member have experienced an incident involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), child protective services or the police*.
- You believe someone in your host family has taken/used your money, credit or debit card.
- You are the victim of a crime, or you have been accused of committing a crime.
- You have been sexually harassed, assaulted, or abused, or approached by a person who made you feel physically or emotionally unsafe or violated**.
- You have been accused of having sexually assaulted, abused or harassed another person.
- You feel that your local AFS volunteer is not able to assist you with your concerns or is threatening you in any way.
- You learn that a fellow AFS student has run away.
- You know of or do anything that has the potential to be covered by the press/media.
- You have lost your DS2019 form(s) and/or passport.
*If you are approached by a police officer or an ICE agent, remain calm, and politely state that "I am a high school exchange student attending (insert your high school). Show them your AFS ID card, and photos of the J-1 visa pages of your passport kept on your phone, or photocopies of the same that you carry with you.
If they want to question you, ask to call your host family first (see below for what to do if you are unable to reach your host family). If you are unable to reach your host family, liaison, the AFS Duty Officer or the Department of State Emergency line and they still want to question you, request a lawyer and say "I am exercising my right to remain silent" and say nothing more until a lawyer is present.
**For additional information about situations related to personal safety and sexual harassment refer to the Your Body Your Safety Pamphlet and the Safety Tips section.
There are many ways that you can let us know about any of these kinds of situations:
First, talk to your host family or local volunteer – in case the issue is with your host family. If the situation is urgent, they will help you report it to AFS Support and Learning staff.
- During business hours, and if you are unable to speak to your host family or local volunteer, you can call the AFS National Office at 1-800-AFS-INFO (1-800-237-4636, press 9) to reach the Participant Support and Learning department.
- After business hours, if it is an emergency and you are uncomfortable or unable to talk to your host family or local AFS volunteer, you can contact the AFS Emergency Duty Officer by calling the same office number: 1-800-AFS-INFO (800-237-4636, press 9) this number will be answered 24 hours a day.
- You can write to hotline@afsusa.org regarding any non-emergency situation that worries or concerns you. Emails sent to this address will be read each business day. (Please contact the numbers listed above with any urgent concern.
Finally, if you are unable to get a response from any of the above options, the U.S. Department of State has established a toll-free emergency number (1-866-283-9090). Please see Additional Resources & Documents and scroll all the way down the article for information on the U.S. Department of State.