CIGE is mandated to provide justice as well as support to victims and survivors of ISIS crimes of all ethno-religious minorities and strives to do so in a safe and reassuring environment.

We encourage survivors of ISIS crimes to open a victim case file with CIGE. This process involves sharing your testimony with one of our investigators. This file confirms your status as a victim, making it easier to access support services and reparations. With your consent, it can also serve as evidence to aid in bringing ISIS members to justice.

Once you have taken an appointment with CIGE our dedicated Victim Support Unit (VSU) will explain the process, answer your questions and ensure that you understand your rights. Our team will treat you with respect, compassion and integrity

from your first contact, throughout the testimony process and during agreed follow-ups.

If one or more of your family members are missing due to ISIS, you can report this to CIGE. Our Missing Persons Unit will gather information about your relative by interviewing family members if needed and by collecting blood samples from relevant family members. We work closely with other government agencies and civil society organisations to locate, identify and return your missing individuals or their remains. This involves:

• Compiling detailed profiles of your relative and their possible location, using information from various sources;

• Participating in the location and exhumation of gravesites.

• Performing forensic testing.

• Carefully handling human remains and personal belongings.

• Partnering with relevant stakeholders to conduct DNA cross matching.

Our goal is to assist families in finding and honoring their relatives. CIGE keeps in contact with the families of missing individuals, providing regular updates and involving them in the identification process where appropriate.

We recognize the importance of your emotional and psychological well-being, as you engage in the services provided by CIGE and as a wider part of your recovery. Our Victim Support Unit (VSU) includes a team of psychologists dedicated to helping survivors access the resources and support you need. The types of psychosocial support that we can provide includes:

1. Vulnerability and well-being assessments:

   during your initial visits to CIGE, our psychologists will meet with you to understand your needs. They will assess your emotional well-being and identify any areas where you may need support, ensuring you feel comfortable and ready for the interview process, as well as providing guidance on any counseling that may help;

2. Counselling:

   following your interview, you can receive personalized counseling sessions that are tailored to your specific needs;

3. Immediate support for those affected by gender-related harms:

   We are committed to making sure you feel safe and comfortable throughout the process. Your case is handled with care and kept private. We understand how difficult your experience has been, and we continuously strive to make sure our team is learning from experts in the field in order to provide the understanding and compassionate care that you deserve. We can provide confidential, immediate assistance and specialized care tailored to your needs;

4. Referrals:

   as CIGE is a judicial institute, our psychosocial resources are often limited for the needs of the survivor communities. Because of this, we have developed a referral network of specialized psychological centers, medical facilities, or civil society organisations that provide psychological support, all of which are regularly monitored by CIGE.

Yezidi, Turkmen, Shabak and Christian survivors of ISIS crimes are eligible for reparations including financial compensation. We can issue survivors with a certificate that confirms your status and eligibility for the reparations program under the Yezidi Survivor Law.

If your essential documents have been lost, damaged, or destroyed, CIGE is here to help. We provide survivors with certificates that confirm the need for new documents, such as ID papers, birth certificates, and property deeds. These certificates can be used to request the reissuance of these documents. Additionally, CIGE is actively working to establish connections with relevant organizations and stakeholders to ensure that you are connected with the best possible care and support for your needs.