Help Rescue 500 Battered Women And Their Children

Daria had been living in Bulgaria with her husband and daughter Rain for just under one year. Daria called us after her husband became angry after she came home late one night after going out to dinner with friends. He threw her against a wall, called her names and accused her of cheating on him. It was the second time in a month this had happened. Their daughter Rain watched both times, crying and screaming. Daria told us that her husband had been verbally abusive in the past but she feared the violence was escalating. They had been to counseling but it seemed to make her husband even more volatile. She did not want Rain to grow up thinking it was okay for daddy to hurt mommy.

We safety planned with Daria. After her husband left for work one morning,we arranged a taxi to pick Daria and Rain up, take them to the airport.Back home to the USA we placed Daria  & Rain into a shelter, connected them with local resources and helped pay for them to get into their own apartment.

Daria & Rain are so thankful to donors like you who helped them come back home to the USA!

Because of donations like yours, we were able to help a record number of battered American women and their children escaping domestic violence in 2015: 1,419 in 75 countries.

We were able to help 49 of these families get home safely to the USA and provided 55 legal consultations and retainers to enable battered mothers to gain custody of their children.

The crisis center operated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days last year staffed by our case managers who provided thousands of hours of safety planning, advocacy, long term case management including connecting clients to counseling, housing, emergency resources and so many other needs.

We know the demand for our services will only increase in 2016. We sincerely appreciate your belief in our mission!

Thank you so very much. The AODVC Staff.

When Amalia moved to Greece with her husband and daughter Tara she thought it would be an experience of a lifetime. They had never been to her husband's homeland. He was happy to have found a job in Athens especially during a time of economic uncertainty.

The first few months went fairly well. Her husband was a difficult man. She wrote off his mood swings as part of their cultural differences.

The first time he hit Amalia she was holding Tara. She fell from the force, losing her grip on Tara who hit her head on the floor. Her husband apologized profusely as they rushed her to the hospital. Her husband made Amalia tell the doctor that she tripped, fell & dropped Tara. Luckily, other than bruising, Tara was fine.

Amalia promised herself that if he ever pushed her again, she would leave. Within one month, he pushed her again. This time he also hit her. Amalia called our hotline. Withing 10 days we were able to get Amalia and Tara safely home because of donations like yours.

Here is a note from Amalia: "I had no idea an organization like your existed until searched for help on-line. I am so thankful. I don't want Tara growing up thinking it is okay for a man to push or hit her. You are my angels!"

Thank you so much for helping Amalia & Tara!

The AODVC team.

When Amber called us from Egypt she was terrified. The night before, her husband had locked her and her young daughter Madison in the storage room of their house and threatened to burn down the house with them in it.

Amber tried to make Madison think her father was just playing hide and seek but it was hard to hide the terror she felt inside. Amber kept asking "why is daddy yelling? He sounds mad."

The violence was getting worse and worse and Amber was in fear of their lives.

Because of donations like yours, our case managers were able to get Amber and Madison out of Egypt and back home to the USA within 2 weeks.

Thank you for caring about battered American mothers and thier children overseas! The AODVC Team

Because of generous donations like yours, Nicki and Tabitha were able to move into their home in May. We helped them flee from Turkey back home to the USA in April. Nicki was teaching English in Turkey after her divorce. She met a Turkish man who was wonderful to her and her daughter Tabitha, at first.

After six months they all moved in together. Not too long after that, Nicki began to notice that Tabitha, who was usually very chatty, became quiet and withdrawn. When Nicki asked Tabitha if she was okay Tabitha said. "I don't want to play rocket ship in the bathtub."

Nicki gently asked Tabitha what she meant. When she realized what Tabitha was saying she was horrified. He partner was taking baths with Tabitha when she was at work. His erection was the rocket ship.

We were able to get Nicki and Tabitha back to the USA within days. They are now living safely in their own home.

Thank you for helping! The AODVC team.