A victim or witness may need immediate medical, psychosocial or security assistance, or may find the process of disclosing information difficult, traumatic and/or dangerous. Inform them, in clear and understandable language, of available legal, material, medical, psychological and social assistance, and, if they so desire, put them directly in contact with such assistance.19 Do so prior to the information-gathering exercise. 20 Be able to provide them with contact details and comprehensive information with what legal, material, medical, psychological and social support services could offer.21 If they consent, assist victims/witnesses in accessing support services. Moreover, unofficial investigators should be aware of genderspecific needs and issues. Male and female victims and witnesses may experience different treatment when seeking assistance. When seeking to refer victims and witnesses to further support, unofficial investigators should: 1. Consider what referral systems may be relevant, including civil society organizations such as: • National, regional or local human rights or gender-based violence civil society organizations; • Informal community leaders and focal people, victim-led groups, and specialized trauma support; • National procedures for dealing with situations of human rights violations and sexual and gender-based violence; and • Victim and witness call centers or hotlines. 2. Assess safety and feasibility of accessing support services: Determine the limitations to the ability to refer appropriately, and whether this will affect the capacity to interact with the victim or witness. Such limitations may include: • Safety limitations: 19 UN OHCHR, Human Rights Standards and Practice for the Police, Expanded Pocket Book on Human Rights for the Police, 10, 53 (2004), available at http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Publications/training5Add3en.pdf. 20 Foreign and Commonwealth Office, International Protocol on the Documentation and Investigation of Sexual Violence in Conflict, 48(2014). 21 UN OHCHR, Human Rights Standards and Practice for the Police, 53, 54 (2004). 30