Help Rescue 500 Battered Women And Their Children

Help Us Help Children Exposed to Family Violence

When most people hear about domestic violence, they think about abuse against an adult. Many people fail to remember that domestic violence is family violence affecting everyone in the household, including children. Children exposed to domestic violence are also victims of abuse. The abuse may be emotional, psychological, or even physical.

October is domestic violence awareness month. In honor of this, we want to focus our attention on the silent victims- children exposed to domestic violence. Children living in foreign countries exposed to domestic violence, many times, have no respite from abuse. This is due to lack of child services, abuse shelters, and police intervention in some countries. These children may also be isolated from extended family and friends back in the US.

The Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center (AODVC) seeks to assist victims of domestic violence living overseas, including children. We provide safety planning, danger to safety relocation, counseling, legal assistance, and assistance with basic needs.

An AODVC case manager received the following message from a survivor in Pakistan:

“Thank you so much for all of your help. Because of you, my three children can now sleep peacefully through the night without fear. I can’t thank you enough!”

-          Sabrina, Pakistan

During domestic violence awareness month, please donate to children in need of safety, security, and violence free homes.

Your donation will make a difference.

*On October 19th, (beginning 12:01 EDT) GlobalGiving will be matching all donations (up to $1,000 per donor, per project) at 30%. Matching funds are limited, so donate early in the day and have it matched.

Links:

• AODVC website

 We have reached a record number of services provided at all levels at the Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center this year.

 We are hoping this means more American domestic violence victims in foreign countries are finding the strength and courage to leave abusive relationships for the sake of themselves and their children, despite the tremendous obstacles they must overcome in order to be safe.

The dedicated and skilled individuals that make up our team, and the donors who believe in our mission, are the key to our success. From January 1st to June 30th the organization has received 1252 crisis calls, emails & live chats while assisting 287 families in 56 countries.

Thank you for your continued support! We have included a photo of our staff in this e-newsletter so you can see the faces that provide life-saving services to victims overseas. Warmest wishes, Paula

Links:

• AODVC Website

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.