GlobalGiving.org: Children of domestic violence survivors

Happy New Year!

Brooke Galloway — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:05:15 GMT

Dear Friends and Supporters of AODVC,

Happy New Year! While we are excited about the incoming new year, we wanted to take a moment and look back at how you have helped American survivors of domestic violence overseas in 2011.

Because of your support, AODVC was able to serve 477 families, including 173 new clients. AODVC received 2,305 incoming crisis communications from 67 different countries. We provided counseling to 13 survivors, international danger to safety relocations to 15 survivors, and legal assistance to 22 survivors.

One of our clients who needed assistance in Saudi Arabia sent the following to an AODVC Case Manager,

“I really appreciate the effort and time you have put in, with finding a safe place to stay for me and my kids. I am blessed to have such a support network around me in a difficult time of my life. Thank you so much for being there for me and my children.”

We look forward to serving many more families with you in 2012. Thank you for your donations that help families escape violence.

Sincerely,

The Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center

The Gift of Empowerment

Brooke Galloway — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 22:00:25 GMT

Dear Supporters and Friends of AODVC,

Season’s greetings from the Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center. Between January 1st and December 13th, 2011, we received 2,249 incoming crisis communications from 479 families. AODVC was able to offer case management, danger to safety relocations, legal assistance, counseling, and assistance with basic needs.

During this holiday season you can give the gift of empowerment to women and children facing violence internationally. American civilians and military members abused abroad are in desperate need of assistance now more than ever as they have been excluded from the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. Americans abused abroad are an extremely underserved population and they need your help. Please provide the gift of strength and the means to leave abuse for women in domestic violence situations.

If you donate to AODVC through Global Giving in honor of, in memory of, or as a gift to someone, Global Giving will send that person an e-card, print at home card, or physical tribute card. You will have the option of choosing the type of card and design. This campaign will be available until December 31^st.

Please donate now at http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/provide-global-abuse-support/

Make sure to click the ‘Gift or in-honor of’ tab.

Thank you for your support and happy holidays!

Sincerely,

The Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center

A Time of Thanks

Brooke Galloway — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:36:39 GMT

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, many people take this time to reflect on what and whom they are thankful for. Survivors of domestic violence and the Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center are thankful for your generous support.

In the past two years, crisis communications have nearly doubled. Between January 1^st and October 31^st we received 1,991 crisis communications from 429 families. Because of donations like yours, AODVC was able to provide advocacy, case management, and basic needs assistance to Americans abused overseas.

A survivor from Indonesia sent the following to the AODVC Case Managers,

“Let me take this opportunity to say thank you again. I was able to take care of 3 immediate needs. Food, the landlord, co-pay on medications. Thank you. I feel that I've been looking for your organization these past 4 years. Because of your actions, I have been experiencing a new sense of courage and empowerment.”

Thank you for your past and present support.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Brooke Galloway — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 18:25:37 GMT

Family Violence

Help Us Help Children Exposed to Family Violence

When most people hear about domestic violence, they think about abuse against an adult. Many people fail to remember that domestic violence is family violence affecting everyone in the household, including children. Children exposed to domestic violence are also victims of abuse. The abuse may be emotional, psychological, or even physical.

October is domestic violence awareness month. In honor of this, we want to focus our attention on the silent victims- children exposed to domestic violence. Children living in foreign countries exposed to domestic violence, many times, have no respite from abuse. This is due to lack of child services, abuse shelters, and police intervention in some countries. These children may also be isolated from extended family and friends back in the US.

The Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center (AODVC) seeks to assist victims of domestic violence living overseas, including children. We provide safety planning, danger to safety relocation, counseling, legal assistance, and assistance with basic needs.

An AODVC case manager received the following message from a survivor in Pakistan:

“Thank you so much for all of your help. Because of you, my three children can now sleep peacefully through the night without fear. I can’t thank you enough!”

- Sabrina, Pakistan

During domestic violence awareness month, please donate to children in need of safety, security, and violence free homes.

Your donation will make a difference.

*On October 19th, (beginning 12:01 EDT) GlobalGiving will be matching all donations (up to $1,000 per donor, per project) at 30%. Matching funds are limited, so donate early in the day and have it matched.

Purple Ribbon

Links:

AODVC website

Record number of services provided this year

Paula Lucas — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 17:03:41 GMT

AODVC Staff

We have reached a record number of services provided at all levels at the Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center this year.

We are hoping this means more American domestic violence victims in foreign countries are finding the strength and courage to leave abusive relationships for the sake of themselves and their children, despite the tremendous obstacles they must overcome in order to be safe.

The dedicated and skilled individuals that make up our team, and the donors who believe in our mission, are the key to our success. From January 1st to June 30th the organization has received 1252 crisis calls, emails & live chats while assisting 287 families in 56 countries.

Thank you for your continued support! We have included a photo of our staff in this e-newsletter so you can see the faces that provide life-saving services to victims overseas. Warmest wishes, Paula

AODVC- Letters From Survivors

Brooke Galloway — Fri, 20 May 2011 18:41:48 GMT

American woman in Morocco

Thank you friends of AODVC

Dear Friends of AODVC,

We cannot fully express our gratitude for your support and assistance on Global Giving throughout the years. Your encouragement and help has enabled the Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center to fulfill it’s mission of providing a lifeline of hope to the extremely underserved population of Americans abused abroad. We would not be here today celebrating our 10th anniversary, if it weren’t for you.

From the bottom of our hearts,

Thank you.

Below are three thank you cards that we have recently received. We wanted to share them with you as the message of thanks is meant for everyone who assisted the survivors. As a supporter of AODVC, the gratitude in these letters is also meant for you.

Morocco

Thank you from the depths of my heart for the assistance your organization has provided me. Throughout our communication over the last 10 months, you understood the trauma I was enduring, when many did not. Your advice was sound and practical and brought hope when I saw no light in the tunnel.

I continue to take practical steps to rebuild my life and heal, but the biggest obstacle has been overcome. I am back in the USA.

WE MADE IT!

We survived and now have a chance to thrive again.

France

Dear Angel,

Thank you for your kind generosity and the love behind your gifts. This means so much to me and my son. After all we’ve been through, to have the resources to take action and get some safety and security- I cannot express how grateful I am. You truly are an angel. God truly does care for his children. Bless you and thank you again.

With humble and sincere gratitude.

Brazil

Thank you AODVC for the aid you provided my family during a very difficult time. Because of your assistance, we were able to come back to the US safely. Your support was invaluable to us.

Remember that the work you do is very important. There are others like me who can benefit from your kind words and assistance. Please know that I will always be grateful for all your help.

Links:

AODVC Website

2010 Overview

Brooke Galloway — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 23:53:08 GMT

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your continued support serving American overseas survivors of domestic violence.

In 2010, the crisis center received 2,289 calls, emails and live chats from 481 families in 68 countries. Of the families who contacted us for assistance, 210 of them had 383 children. The Hague Convention on International Child Abduction affected 94 of these families.

In an email message sent to our Lead Case Manager, a client stated the following:

“I really appreciate all your help! I know I keep saying thank you, but I really am just so grateful to have someone guiding me and helping me along this rough path.”

She fled her abuser in Asia. We provided her with emotional support, legal referrals, information about the Hague Convention and counseling resources.

The services that we provide are, in large part, due to your support and donations. Thank you for helping American overseas survivors of domestic violence and their children.

Sincerely,

The Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center

Home for the Holidays

Brooke Galloway — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 20:34:40 GMT

Amy has been surviving horrific domestic violence in France for the past seven years. She is desperate to return home to the US to live her life free of abuse.

Samantha fears for her life and the life of her children on a daily basis. She wants nothing more than to escape the domestic violence she and her children are forced to endure in Jordan and return safely to the US with her three young children.

Melissa just left the hospital after being treated for broken bones due to violence from her boyfriend. In addition to the physical abuse against her, her boyfriend constantly threatens to murder her pets. She is trying to get everything in order to return back to the US with her dog, Rex, and cat, Simon.

Amy, Samantha & Melissa represent only three of the hundreds of American women we are assisting in their attempts to flee domestic abuse and return home to the US with their children and pets.

Between January and November of 2010, we have served 366 families. You can help bring them home safely in time for the holidays and help us assist survivors of domestic violence year round. Your donation will make the difference.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month Campaign

Brooke Galloway — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 19:28:09 GMT

Aubrey was an American citizen living in Chile. She was forced to live in terror and had to endure horrific abuse at the hands of her husband. Her husband also abused their two young children. Aubrey’s husband threatened to kill her and the children if she ever tried to leave him.

Aubrey reported the abuse to the police and the local US Embassy, but neither entity was able to intervene. Finally, after a desperate internet search for help, Aubrey located an international toll-free domestic violence crisis line for Americans abused overseas, 866USWomen.

You may already know that there are several families living overseas who fear for their lives because of domestic violence. Aubrey is not a lone figure; there are an estimated 99,750 Americans abused abroad each year. In many foreign countries, the resources for victims of domestic violence are scarce.

Thanks to the generous donations and support received from people like you, the Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center was able to provide Aubrey and her two children with international danger to safety relocation, legal assistance, counseling, and assistance with basic needs when they returned to the US.

October is domestic violence awareness month. Please show your support in ending domestic violence against Americans residing abroad. Our project is participating in the give more get more campaign. Global Giving is matching all donations received between October 12 and October 21 at 30%, 40%, or 50%.

Please donate through this campaign to help a family like Aubrey’s.

$25 will provide 10 minutes on the international toll free crisis line
$50 will provide 4 hours for a crisis line advocate to help domestic violence and child abuse victims
$100 will provide materials to train 10 crisis line volunteers
$500 will provide 1 danger to safety airline ticket back to the USA
$1,000 will provide a battered mother and 3 children with housing, utilities, food and basic needs for 1 month

PS There is $100,000 available in matching funds for all projects participating on Global Giving so the money will go fast. The campaign will run until Oct 21 or until matching funds run out. Please make your donation today!

AODVC Update

Brooke Galloway — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 22:28:22 GMT

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your continued support serving American overseas survivors of domestic violence. In July of 2010, AODVC received 187 crisis calls from 63 families in 61 countries around the world. Our year to date number of incoming crisis calls is 1,376 serving 317 families.

In an email message sent to our Lead Case Manager, a client stated the following: "The assistance you provided to me in developing my escape plan is what enabled me to get out safely with my two children. My parents and I thank you so much!"

The services that we provide are, in large part, due to your support and donations. Thank you for helping American overseas survivors of domestic violence and their children.

Sincerely, The Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center

Crisis Services Update

Brooke Galloway — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 21:19:03 GMT

Dear Friends, Thank you for your continued support serving American overseas survivors of domestic violence. After analyzing our crisis services statistics we discovered that we have received almost as many crisis calls in the first 6 months of 2010 as we received in the entire 12 months of 2009. Our International Advocates and Volunteer Advocates have been working tirelessly to continue providing award-winning services to this population.

AODVC received 1,189 crisis calls from 61 countries around the world. 281 families were served and 133 families have children. The total amount of children served was 254.

The services that we provide are, in large part, due to your support and donations. Thank you for helping American overseas survivors of domestic violence and their children.

Sincerely. The Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center

Matching Day- June 16

Brooke Galloway — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 19:31:26 GMT

Dear Supporters of AODVC,

June 16th is matching day! Global Giving is matching at 50% up to $1,000 per donor per project!

Since the launch of our Global Campaign, our crisis calls have increased more than 300%! With the increase in calls comes the need for the increase in direct services, including danger to safety relocation, case management, legal assistance, counseling, and assistance with basic needs. To be able to meet the increase in calls while continuing to provide award winning services, we need your help!

Please donate on June 16, 2010 to American victims of domestic violence and child abuse abroad and have your donation matched at 50%! Thank you for your generous support.

Sincerely,

Brooke Galloway

Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center

National Crime Victim Service Award

Paula Lucas — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 21:34:36 GMT

Award ceremony in Washington DC

On April 16th the Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center received the National Crime Victims Service Award from the US Department of Justice in honor of extraordinary efforts in direct service to victims of crime. The award was presented by US Attorney General Eric Holder

While we are both humbled and proud of this achievement, we would have never achieved this level of recognition, or have had the resources to serve Americans abused overseas, without the on-going support of our Global Giving donors.

This award comes at a time when we have seen crisis calls increase 330% for the first quarter of 2010 when compared to the first quarter of 2009.

Thank you from all of us, myself, Brooke, Caitlin, Noelle, Samaneh, Rebecca and all of the volunteers. Best. Paula

Links:

Official press release from the Department of Justice

2010 Update

Brooke Galloway — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:06:03 GMT

Thank you for your generous support and donations. Between January 1 and March 10, 2010, the Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center received a total of 494 crisis calls, emails, and live chats, 341 of the crisis communications involved children. • January- 181 crisis calls, emails, and live chats and 115 of these crisis communications involved children • February- 188 crisis calls, emails, and live chats and 138 of these crisis communications involved children • March- 125 crisis calls, emails, and live chats and 88 of these crisis communications involved children between March 1 and March 10. American overseas survivors of domestic violence with children face many obstacles in getting themselves and their children to safety. These obstacles include not having access to the children's passports, travel bans placed on the survivor and/or her children, and international child custody laws. AODVC’s International Case Managers and Advocates provide American overseas survivors of domestic violence with resources, tools, and support, empowering the survivor to make educated decisions about her situation. The following quote was sent to Caitlin McGuan, AODVC Crisis Services Coordinator, from a survivor in El Salvador. “I want to take this opportunity to thank you again for all the help and support you’ve been giving to me and my children. I really appreciate it, and I know we wouldn’t have made it even this far if it hadn’t been for you. God bless you.” Thank you again for supporting children of American overseas survivors of domestic violence.

2009 Summary

Brooke GAlloway — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 22:19:21 GMT

Thank you for your generous support and donations! In 2009, the Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center received 1,424 crisis calls and emails serving 273 families from 64 different countries.

In addition to providing support to all of our clients, AODVC provided legal assistance for 10 families, assisted 11 families with danger to safety relocations, 5 families with basic needs assistance and provided 4 families with counseling.

Throughout the past year, I have been keeping you updated on the statistics of the population that we serve and the services that we offer. To further illustrate the continuum of services American overseas domestic violence survivors need we have decided to share the story of one of our clients. Names and other details of her situation have been changed.

“Leigh first contacted AODVC a couple years ago while experiencing horrific abuse in an foreign country. She wanted to get her and her children out of the country and back to the US, but her abuser had hidden their passports. AODVC worked with her in creating a specialized safety plan, contacting the US Embassy, and connecting her with local domestic violence resources.

After Leigh was granted new passports, AODVC worked with her during the repatriation process, assisting her with finding flights and hotels along the way.

Once Leigh and her children arrived back in the US, AODVC connected her with a local shelter as many shelters were denying her services because the abuse happened overseas. It was vital that Leigh find shelter as Leigh was certain that her abuser had hired a private investigator to locate her and the children.

Leigh's family contacted her to tell her that her abuser was filing for custody of the children. AODVC connected Leigh with legal representation and offered modest financial assistance.

After years of abuse, and immense amounts of stress, Leigh expressed interest in counseling. AODVC connected her with a counselor.

After a long and tedious legal battle, Leigh was granted custody of her children. Leigh decided that she wanted to move out of shelter and into an apartment. AODVC supported Leigh as she looked for an apartment, a job, and childcare.”

While each case is extremely unique, this story is representative of many cases. Some clients are not able to leave the foreign country due to certain laws within the foreign country, some clients do not contact us until after they've arrived back in the US, some clients have protracted legal cases that last for years, while others use our services for just a few months.

No matter the length or specific services a client receives, AODVC could not offer these services without the generous support, enthusiasm, and donations from you.

On behalf of the Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center, Leigh, and the 272 other families served in 2009, thank you.

December Update

Brooke Galloway — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:35:49 GMT

Thank you for supporting the Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center. Between January and October, 2009, your support and generous donations enabled us to assist 302 families, 109 of these families had children.

We received 1,153 crisis calls and emails from 57 different countries. We assisted 10 families with legal assistance, 5 families with counseling, and provided 3 families with basic needs assistance.

Caitlin McGuan, our Crisis Services Coordinator, received the following message from one of our clients with children, “You have helped us already not to feel so isolated and helpless as we had and that in and of itself has been empowering and energizing in these very difficult circumstances for my whole family.” -American woman in Greece

We sincerely thank you for supporting children of domestic violence survivors.

August Update

Brooke Galloway — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 21:20:13 GMT

Thank you for your support and donations! We are very grateful for your assistance in serving children of domestic violence survivors. From January, 2009 to July, 2009 the American Domestic Violence Crisis Line received 600 crisis calls and emails, assisted 126 families and 121 children from 46 countries.

A client recently emailed Crisis Line Coordinator, Caitlin McGuan, stating: “When I say thank you, I hope you realize my thanks go out to you today for having played a role in making this transition back a smooth one for my son and I. I have been very blessed and I appreciate you and your help. That help came in many forms not to exclude a sincere smile, a good laugh and even friendship. Thank you.”

We would not be able to provide these services without your kindness and generosity. We sincerely thank you for your ongoing support.

About the children's project

Esra Khalil — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:48:32 GMT

There are approximately 6.6 million Americans living abroad and studies indicate that within this population there are a growing number of bi-national marriages. Estimates of domestic violence among Americans expatriates are not available; however, presuming the overseas population reflects the national statistics of the American Institute on Domestic Violence, it is estimated approximately 66,000 women and their children are experiencing abuse in a foreign country.

American mothers being abused abroad face a unique array of legal and custodial issues including jurisdiction, international abduction, and guardianship. In any divorce or separation case, the trauma experienced by the child can be stressful and disruptive. For families living in foreign countries, the separation of the family because of abduction is a grave reality. The U.S. Department of State’s Office of Children's Issues, a division within Overseas Citizens Services, which handles child abduction, has seen its caseload swell from an average in recent years from 1,100 to 1,500 open cases of international child abduction. Most industrialized Western countries are state parties to the 1980 Hague Convention on international child abduction, a treaty that requires countries to send abducted children back to the jurisdiction which has been established as their place of habitual residence. The Hague Convention focuses substantially on determining jurisdiction and has few provisions for domestic violence or the emotional wellbeing of the children. Regardless of whether a country is a state party signatory, international family custody cases often lead to a protracted legal battle that can be financially devastating for battered mothers. An essential component to mitigating some of the trauma experienced by the child, and the burden placed on an abused mother, is to ensure that at the first point of contact – the U.S. embassy - the survivor is provided support and informed of the resources available to her.

ADVCL works to ensure mothers have the support they need from the first point of contact. In 2008, the crisis line received approximately 1182 calls or emails, provided services to 363 families with 448 children in 56 different countries.