Help Rescue 500 Battered Women And Their Children

Marisa and Lexi are home safe and sound because of donors like you! Marisa's husband was working in Brazil on a temporary six month contract. Marisa went to Brazil with Lexi for a one month visit. When Marisa arrived with Lexi her husband took their American passports for "safe keeping." During their time in Brazil her husband became more and more critical and verbally abusive towards Marisa. At one point he threw a coffee mug in anger at Marisa while she was holding Lexi because she didn't put sugar in his coffee. Marisa decided to keep things as calm as possible until she and Lexi were able to return home.

When it came time to fly back home he would not let Marisa have the passports and told her she wasnt going anywhere. Marisa called us one night after her husband became physically violent. We worked with Marisa and the American Embassy and were able to get new emergency passports issued and their flights back to the USA rebooked.

Here is part of a note from Marisa. "What I thought was going to be a nice visit turned into a nightmare. He swore that he had changed and if we came to visit him we would see that he was different. He wasn't. Without you I might have been stuck in Brazil for a long time. Thank you so much for rescuing me and Lexi!"

We would also like you to know that we are changing our name from the Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center to Pathways to Safety International, with the tag line: Empowering victims of interpersonal & gender based violence abroad.

This name better reflects the scope of work we do to help Americans experiencing violence abroad.

Thank you so much for your support! Paula Lucas, Founder & Executive Director

Emily has been living as an American expat in Germany for 25 years with her husband Mark. Not only did Mark demean Emily on a constant bases, he became physically abusive and put Emily in the hospital on several occasions. Emily believes she was in denial for a long time about how out of control the abuse was.

The very last time Emily was hospitalized by Mark, their children called AODVC on behalf of their Mother. It is because of her children and their sincere fear for her life that Emily was willing to accept the help of AODVC and separate from her husband. Emily and her children are now back in the USA and doing very well.

AODVC is forever grateful to donors like you who allow us to do this lifesaving work.

Thank You!