Help Stop Military Family Violence

Pathways and the military have developed a win-win collaboration over the years. Victims of family violence are able to access services through Pathways and services through the military, offering the best possible outcome for survivors and their children.

This year we have co-case managed more cases with the military then ever before. Our areas of greatest need are train and bus tickets for victims as well as emergency hotel stays for victims to stay safe while we research the best possible, longer term options to escape violence.

We created two microprojects to help victims in 2019 with these basic needs.

https://www.globalgiving.org/microprojects/emergency-hotel-rooms-for-victims-escaping-violenc/

https://www.globalgiving.org/dy/v2/pe/project-edit/edit-page-1.html?project.projId=36165

We hope you will consider donating to these projects this giving season.

Thank you for all you do to help victims of military family violence!

Brenna accompanied her military husband to Germany last year. She was excited to be based in Europe and looked forward to a new start. Her husband had become verbally abusive on several occasions. He told her he was under stress and once they moved to Germany everything would be better.

Instead of getting better, things got worse. Her husband would come home drunk, insult her and accuse her of having affairs. When he hit her one night, she realized she needed to get out of Germany and come home to the USA.

Brenna called Pathways to see what her options were. She worked with one of our case managers for several weeks before we were able to relocate her back to the USA and away from the escalating abuse from her husband.

Brenna is doing well. She has filed for divorce. Brenna is sad that her marriage did not work out but she is hopeful for a better future.

Thank you for helping battered Military spouses like Brenna!

The Pathways Team.

We truly appreciate your support for our project Help Stop Military Family Violence.

We wanted to let you know that we have changed the name of the organization from the Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center to Pathways To Safety International.

We feel the new name better reflects the work we do to help American victims of interpersonal and gender based violence abroad. Each military victim we serve journeys a different path to get to safety at home in the USA or at a safe place abroad.

As a donor to this project, you help military victims escape violent, and often, potentially lethal situations.

Thank you so much for your support and your belief in our mission!

In 2017 we were able to provide 27 military victims of family violence because of your help. Victims of abuse in military homes often have tremendous obstacles getting to safety. The abuser, often the military member, has so much comtrol over their victims especially in a foreign country.

Here is a quote from one battered American military spouse we assisted last year: "I didn't know if we were going to make it out alive. I will never forget how patient Catalina (one of our case managers) was with me. For months she helped me safety plan, get all of my "ducks in a row" and finally, got me and my son home safely. I will be forever grateful."

We would like to thank you for all of your support and for caring about American military who are experiencing family violence.

In 2017 we are experiencing an increase in cases of battered military spouses reaching out for assistance. While the military has a system for reporting domestic abuse, victims are often afraid to speak to a military family advocate. They are worried that if they detail the abuse to an advocate, the report may go from restricted to unrestriced and the abusive spouse will find out they sought help.

We are able to be the anonymous, confidential refuge that these victims need while they are deciding which course of action they want to take. We often work for weeks and months with a victim before they decide what the best options and outcomes are for them.

If you are thinking of donating again to help abused military spouses this holiday season, please consider making a donation to Maribel to help her get counseling.

https://www.globalgiving.org/microprojects/please-help-maribel-get-counseling-after-abuse/

Thank you for all of your support in 2017!