Help American LGBTQ Victims of Violence Overseas

Déni was born in the US from first generation Malian immigrants. Throughout high school Déni tried to keep the fact she was dating girls a secret from her parents, but at the age of 18 her parents had arranged her to marry a wealthy man in Mali. Déni was forced to move to Mali where she had never even visited before, with a man she met on the day of her marriage.  Déni’s parents offered no support to her. Déni believes this arranged marriage was a punishment to her by her parents for being gay. In Mali Déni not only had to pretend not to be gay, was forced into a heterosexual marriage, but she also as a women had nearly no rights and was treated as such, especially by her husband. Déni, desperate, was able to secretly contact AODVC. AODVC worked with Deni for just a few weeks before Déni suspected herself of being pregnant. Déni’s case manager was able to contact the US Embassy of Mali. The Embassy and AODVC worked together to get Déni to safety to the USA. She was sad she could not go back to her family but is she receiving on-going support through AODVC and partner agencies.

With the help of our supporters who donated to this cause, Déni and her daughter are free to live her life with the basic human rights everyone deserves.

Thank you!

Brittany contacted our organization after being sexually assaulted in Lithuania. Brittany was traveling with her partner Morgan and as a members of the LGBTQ community, they knew they would have to try to conceal their relationship while traveling in Lithuania where the culture is anti-gay.

Brittany believed that they were suspected of being lesbians by a small group of men who apparently followed them to their hotel room. This is when both Brittany and Morgan were violently attacked. A SASHAA case manager was able to provide immediate support and was able to find them a safe hospital to go to so they could report the incident. SASHAA was also able to get them another hotel room, as they were afraid their attackers return to where they were staying. They also helped Brittany and Morgan by providing translation services with hospital staff and law enforcement.

Due to our donors our organization has been able to help people just like Brittany and Morgan from terrible abuse, and intolerance.

Thank You so much for your generosity! The SASHAA Team

Brent was in a study abroad program in Germany. He went out one night with friends at a nightclub. When he went to the restroom he was sexually assaulted in the stall of the restroom by two men. One gagged him and restrained him while the other sexually assaulted him.

When Brent's friends were wondering where he was they found him nearly unconscious and in agonizing pain. They immediately notified the night club managers and called the police.

Brent called our crisis center and one of our case managers, Sara, helped Brent understand what his medical options were. We were also able to provide a free legal consultation with an attorney in Germany so he could understand his legal rights.

We are now providing Brent with free counseling services and continuing to provide emotional support. Because of donations to this project we are able to help American LGBTQ victims of violence overseas! Thank you so much for your support!

Jenna was studying abroad for a year in France and became partners with a young woman from another university. After a whirlwind romance her partner became controlling and verbally abusive. Jenna tried to breakup with her but she became violent and threatened to tell her parents Jenna was a lesbian. Jenna had not come out to her parents. Her partner had gotten Jenna's parents phone number off of Jenna's cell phone.

Jenna worked with one of our case managers, Kat, came up with a safety plan, and strategized how she could get safely away from her partner. It took a few weeks but Jenna and Kat worked together to get Jenna safely away from her partner and also prevented her partner from contacting her parents.

Many people who identify with the LGBTQ community come out abroad but not at home. With supporters like you we are able to help these victims of abuse get to safety and maintain their confidentiality. Thank you for caring for LGBTQ victims like Jenna! The AODVC Team.

Katie met her partner while teaching English in Egypt. Katie thought the first few months of the relationship were wonderful. Then her partner started becoming critical, questioning Katie when she would spend time with female friends and started showing up at her work unannounced.

Once evening her partner began screaming at her and accusing her of cheating. Katie did her best to assure her partner that she wasn't. But it didn't help. When Katie tried to break up with her, she became violent and started throwing things at Katie. She threaten to "out" her. Katie needed to come home for her own safety.

Because of donations like yours, we were able to get Katie home within two weeks of her contacting us. She was sad to leave her job in Egypt but she is also relieved to be safe.

Thank you so much for helping us help vulnerable Americans in the LGBTQ population in foreign countries. The AODVC Team