Help Stop Military Family Violence

Christine was stationed in Italy with her husband and daughter Isabella. Her husband was a high ranking officer in the military and Christine was afraid to go to the family advocacy program at the base. Her husband had strangled her and she knew that was an indicator of lethality.

Christine worked with one of our case managers for several weeks considering all of her options and possible outcomes. When Christine decided to report to the base, a military family advocate and one of our case managers co-case managed to ensure all services offered by the military and AODVC were accessed and coordinated.

Christine and her daughter Isabella are now safe back in the USA after a very difficult transition. It is because of donors like you that we are able to assist American military members fleeing domestic violence abroad! Thank you so much! The AODVC Team

When Stacy called us she was distraught. She was a military spouse in Germany. Despite counseling and numerous appologies from her husband after violent episodes, the abuse continued. The week before she contacted us her husband had strangled her. She just couldn't take it anymore.

We worked with Stacy for several weeks helping her consider her options and outcomes. Stacy decided to report the violence to the advocates in the military and took the steps she felt she needed to be safe. Stacy is home now in the USA because of donors like you. She is getting counseling and taking some time to take care of herself. Stacy is strong and hopes to help other military spouses experiencing domestic violence once she gets her life re-established.

Thank you so very much for helping Stacy! The AODVC Team.

In 2015 we helped more than 20 military victims experiencing domestic violence overseas. Without support like yours this would have not been possible.

Domestic violence in military families are especially challenging. Here is a note from one survivor we assisted:

"I was so afraid to tell anyone on the base, even the family advocates. He had strangled me and I knew if I told anyone in Germany, the next time he would kill me. Working with Katie over the phone helped me make some very difficult decisions. My son and I are safe now but I would not have been able to get home safely without you. I don't know how I can ever thank you enough."

We would like to sincerely thank you for your help! The AODVC Team

Monica called us from Italy after a very bad assault by her husband. The abuse had been escalating and she was afraid if she did a restricted report on base, it would become an unrestricted report and her husband would find out she told someone.

Her son Finn had seen a lot of the abuse and was now hitting Monica and screaming at her, emulating her husband. She knew she had to do something.

We worked with Monica for several weeks. We provided resources, counseling and a safe place to go to with Finn.

Monica and Finn are now in separate housing and safe. We would not have been able to provide these services without support from donations like yours.

We truly appreciate your support of our project to stop military family violence! The AODVC Team

At first, living in the UK as the civilian spouse of an American military man was a great experience. Vanessa met many other American civilian wives. She participated in fundraising projects, attended luncheons and joined a swim group.

But after a couple of months, the abuse started again. Her husband had been mentally and verbally abusive to Vanessa when they lived in the states. She asked him for a divorce. He cried, apologized and told her that moving to the UK would make everything better and give them a new start.

When Vanessa called us she just found out she was pregnant. Her husband had accused her of sleeping with other men and questioned her loyalty. He didn't hit her but he threw things at her including a flower vase and picture frames. Vanessa was afraid to tell her husband. She had never been unfaithful but she was terrified he would go into a rage.

We safety planned, and because of donations like yours, we were able to get Vanessa back to the USA. Vanessa moved in with her mother and hopes her husband gets anger management or other help but right now, she is focusing on herself, her photography business and the baby.

Thank you so much for donating to help stop Military Family Violence! The AODVC Team