Global Empowerment Campaign

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

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.

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!

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

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