Help Rescue 500 Battered Women And Their Children

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, Provide 500 Women Globally with Abuse Support, 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 survivors of domestic violence and their children.

Sincerely. The Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center

Dear Supporters of AODVC,

June 16th is matching day! Global Giving is matching at 50% up to $1,000 per donor per project!

Since the launch of our Global Campaign, our crisis calls have increased more than 300%! With the increase in calls comes the need for the increase in direct services, including danger to safety relocation, case management, legal assistance, counseling, and assistance with basic needs. To be able to meet the increase in calls while continuing to provide award winning services, we need your help!

Please donate on June 16, 2010 to American victims of domestic violence and child abuse abroad and have your donation matched at 50%! Thank you for your generous support.

Sincerely,

Brooke Galloway

Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center

On April 16th the Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center received the National Crime Victims Service Award from the US Department of Justice in honor of extraordinary efforts in direct service to victims of crime. The award was presented by US Attorney General Eric Holder

While we are both humbled and proud of this achievement, we would have never achieved this level of recognition, or have had the resources to serve Americans abused overseas, without the on-going support of our Global Giving donors.

This award comes at a time when we have seen crisis calls increase 330% for the first quarter of 2010 when compared to the first quarter of 2009.

Thank you from all of us, myself, Brooke, Caitlin, Noelle, Samaneh, Rebecca and all of the volunteers. Best. Paula

Links:

• Official press release from the Department of Justice