Escaping violence across international borders is seemingly impossible. Most American victims abroad would not be able to escape violence without advocacy and safety planning. Pathways' advocates have years of experience creating safety plans for thousands of victims around the world. With this project we will be able to provide 20 victims with in-depth safety planning specific to their circumstances.
Alone, afraid and under control of their abuser, American victims of violence abroad are desperate to flee home to safety in the USA with their children. Most have no idea how they will accomplish such a dangerous, and often life threatening, undertaking. If their abuser discovers they are planning to leave, this typically escalates the abuse and increases the possibility of lethality. Safety planning with a Pathways' advocate can help them navigate the complicated obstacles and reduce risks.
By working with a Pathways' advocate, victims will gain a better understanding of how to stay safe while escaping internationally, how to overcome obstacles, how to gather evidence of abuse, how to keep their technology safe, if international treaties will impact their ability to keep their children safe in the USA, get connected to an international family law attorney and more. Pathways' advocates also provide emotional support and advocacy for counseling, shelter and more services in the USA.
With this project we will be able to provide safety planning to 20 American victims of abuse abroad, with the desired outcome of having them successfully escape back home to the USA with their children and live violence free lives.
