Dear Friends and Supporters of AODVC,

Happy New Year! While we are excited about the incoming new year, we wanted to take a moment and look back at how you have helped American survivors of domestic violence overseas in 2011.

Because of your support, AODVC was able to serve 477 families, including 173 new clients. AODVC received 2,305 incoming crisis communications from 67 different countries. We provided counseling to 13 survivors, international danger to safety relocations to 15 survivors, and legal assistance to 22 survivors.  

One of our clients who needed assistance in Saudi Arabia sent the following to an AODVC Case Manager,

 “I really appreciate the effort and time you have put in, with finding a safe place to stay for me and my kids. I am blessed to have such a support network around me in a difficult time of my life. Thank you so much for being there for me and my children.”

We look forward to serving many more families with you in 2012. Thank you for your donations that help families escape violence.

Dear Supporters and Friends of AODVC,

Season’s greetings from the Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center. Between January 1st and December 17th, 2011, we received 2,249 incoming crisis communications from 479 families. AODVC was able to offer case management, danger to safety relocations, legal assistance, counseling, and assistance with basic needs.  

During this holiday season you can give the gift of empowerment to women and children facing violence internationally. American civilians and military members abused abroad are in desperate need of assistance now more than ever as they have been excluded from the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. Americans abused abroad are an extremely underserved population and they need your help. Please provide the gift of strength and the means to leave abuse for women in domestic violence situations.

If you donate to AODVC through Global Giving in honor of, in memory of, or as a gift to someone, Global Giving will send that person an e-card, print at home card, or physical tribute card. You will have the option of choosing the type of card and design. This campaign will be available until December 31^st.

Please donate now at http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/provide-global-abuse-support/

Make sure to click the ‘Gift or in-honor of’ tab.

Thank you for your support and happy holidays!

Sincerely,

The Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, many people take this time to reflect on what and whom they are thankful for. Survivors of domestic violence and the Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center are thankful for your generous support.

In the past two years, crisis communications have nearly doubled. Between January 1^st and October 31^st   we received 1,991 crisis communications from 429 families. Because of donations like yours, AODVC was able to provide advocacy, case management, and basic needs assistance to Americans abused overseas.

A survivor from Indonesia sent the following to the AODVC Case Managers,

“Let me take this opportunity to say thank you again. I was able to take care of 3 immediate needs. Food, the landlord, co-pay on medications. Thank you. I feel that I've been looking for your organization these past 4 years. Because of your actions, I have been experiencing a new sense of courage and empowerment.”   

Thank you for your past and present support.

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, many people take this time to reflect on what and whom they are thankful for. Survivors of domestic violence and the Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center are thankful for your generous support.

In the past two years, crisis communications have nearly doubled. Between January 1^st and October 31^st   we received 1,991 crisis communications from 429 families. Because of donations like yours, AODVC was able to provide advocacy, case management, and basic needs assistance to Americans abused overseas.

A survivor from Indonesia sent the following to the AODVC Case Managers,

“Let me take this opportunity to say thank you again. I was able to take care of 3 immediate needs. Food, the landlord, co-pay on medications. Thank you. I feel that I've been looking for your organization these past 4 years. Because of your actions, I have been experiencing a new sense of courage and empowerment.”   

Thank you for your past and present support.

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.

Family Violence

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.

We assisted nine families with danger to safety relocation back to the USA. Here is a quote from one of the mothers we helped:

“ You are probably my only hope...a lifeline to someone who has increasingly felt as though she's drowning. Thanks for all you have done.  I value what you did for me.”

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.

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 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 overseas 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 Department of Justice press release

Thank you for your generous support and donations! In 2009, the Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center received 1,424 crisis calls and emails serving 273 families from 64 different countries.

In addition to providing support to all of our clients, AODVC provided legal assistance for 10 families, assisted 11 families with danger to safety relocations, 5 families with basic needs assistance and provided 4 families with counseling.

Throughout the past year, we have been keeping you updated on the statistics of the population that we serve and the services that we offer. To further illustrate the continuum of services American overseas domestic violence survivors need we have decided to share the story of one of our clients. Names and other details of her situation have been changed.

“Leigh first contacted AODVC a couple years ago while experiencing horrific abuse in an foreign country. She wanted to get her and her children out of the country and back to the US, but her abuser had hidden their passports. AODVC worked with her in creating a specialized safety plan, contacting the US Embassy, and connecting her with local domestic violence resources.

After Leigh was granted new passports, AODVC worked with her during the repatriation process, assisting her with finding flights and hotels along the way.

Once Leigh and her children arrived back in the US, AODVC connected her with a local shelter as many shelters were denying her services because the abuse happened overseas. It was vital that Leigh find shelter as Leigh was certain that her abuser had hired a private investigator to locate her and the children.

Leigh's family contacted her to tell her that her abuser was filing for custody of the children. AODVC connected Leigh with legal representation and offered modest financial assistance.

After years of abuse, and immense amounts of stress, Leigh expressed interest in counseling. AODVC connected her with a counselor.

After a long and tedious legal battle, Leigh was granted custody of her children. Leigh decided that she wanted to move out of shelter and into an apartment. AODVC supported Leigh as she looked for an apartment, a job, and childcare.”

While each case is extremely unique, this story is representative of many cases. Some clients are not able to leave the foreign country due to certain laws within the foreign country, some clients do not contact us until after they've arrived back in the US, some clients have protracted legal cases that last for years, while others use our services for just a few months.

No matter the length or specific services a client receives, AODVC could not offer these services without the generous support, enthusiasm, and donations from you.

On behalf of the Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center, Leigh, and the 272 other families served in 2009, thank you.

Thank you for supporting the Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center. Your support and generous donations enabled us to assist 7 overseas American women and their children to relocate from dangerous situations to safe and healthy environments that are free from abuse, between January and October of 2009.

Because of your support we were able to support women before, during, and after their transition from danger to safety. In addition to the relocation, the support consisted of basic human needs, case management, legal assistance, and counseling. Between January and October, 2009, we received 1,153 crisis calls and emails from 57 different countries and 302 families. We assisted 10 families with legal assistance, 5 families with counseling, and provided 3 families with basic needs assistance.

Our Crisis Services Coordinator, Caitlin McGuan received the following message from one of our clients, “You have helped us already not to feel so isolated and helpless as we had and that in and of itself has been empowering and energizing in these very difficult circumstances for my whole family.” -American woman in Greece

Thank you from the Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center and from the women and their children who now live their lives free of abuse.

Thank you so much for your generous support of the Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center (formally the American Domestic Violence Crisis Line). Thanks to your support, we were able to reach our project goal of $1,000.00 enabling American women and their children to flee domestic violence overseas and relocate to safe and healthy environments. Furthermore, we were able to offer women assistance with basic human needs, case management, legal assistance, and counseling. Due to the project’s impact on American domestic violence victims overseas, we are raising the goal to $5,000.00. We hope that this project will remain successful and that we can assist more women who fear for their lives on a daily basis. Thank you from the Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center and from the women and their children who now live their lives free of abuse.

Thank you for your support and donations! We are very grateful for your assistance with danger to safety relocations for American domestic violence survivors abroad. From January, 2009 to July, 2009 the American Domestic Violence Crisis Line received 600 crisis calls and emails, assisted 149 families and 121 children from 46 countries.

In addition to direct services and ongoing case management, the American Domestic Violence Crisis Line provided relocation assistance for 3 families, legal consultations for 2 families, counseling for 1 family, and basic needs services for 3 families.

A client recently emailed Crisis Line Coordinator, Caitlin McGuan, stating: “When I say thank you, I hope you realize my thanks go out to you today for having played a role in making this transition back a smooth one for my son and I. I have been very blessed and I appreciate you and your help. That help came in many forms not to exclude a sincere smile, a good laugh and even friendship. Thank you.”

We would not be able to provide these services without your kindness and generosity. We sincerely thank you for your ongoing support!

Thank you for your support and donations! We are very grateful for your assistance with danger to safety relocations for American domestic violence survivors abroad. From January, 2009 to July, 2009 the American Domestic Violence Crisis Line received 600 crisis calls and emails, assisted 149 families and 121 children from 46 countries.

In addition to direct services and ongoing case management, the American Domestic Violence Crisis Line provided relocation assistance for 3 families, legal consultations for 2 families, counseling for 1 family, and basic needs services for 3 families.

A client recently emailed Crisis Line Coordinator, Caitlin McGuan, stating: “When I say thank you, I hope you realize my thanks go out to you today for having played a role in making this transition back a smooth one for my son and I. I have been very blessed and I appreciate you and your help. That help came in many forms not to exclude a sincere smile, a good laugh and even friendship. Thank you.”

We would not be able to provide these services without your kindness and generosity. We sincerely thank you for your ongoing support!

This is a new project created by ADVCL. The mission of ADVCL is to provide a continuum of services to American women and children experiencing family violence while living in a foreign country. ADVCL works with abused American women and children in foreign countries to provide domestic violence and child abuse advocacy, resources and tools so that they can navigate the complicated jurisdictional, legal and social international landscapes, to be able to live their lives free of abuse either in the foreign country or back in the United States. As part of the danger to safety planning advocacy, ADVCL works with women on the logistics and relocation to a safe place, be that in the foreign country or back in the U.S. ADVCL also assists with finding emergency financial funding, legal consultation with international family law attorneys, and basic needs, such as housing.

Battered American women who are abused in foreign countries by their partners often feel they have no choice but to flee back to the U.S. for the protection of themselves, and their children, in their search for safety. This is partly due to the barriers they face in the foreign countries including language, culture, and restrictive marital and child custody laws. Additionally, resources available in the foreign country are often non-existent and if there are some available, they are generally inadequate. Most often survivors say they feel the U.S. will have the most inclusive legal protection for them and their children. ADVCL helps with the logistics of relocation, danger to safety planning, and assistance with emergency needs.

ADVCL has provided danger to safety transportation for 34 families fleeing domestic violence trans-nationally since 2003. Of this population, we have found some have family that they can return to, while others enter directly into emergency shelters, yet either way, the majority of survivors are homeless from the minute they land back in the US. In 2008, at least 10 or more families contacted ADVCL after they had arrived in the US seeking assistance after fleeing trans-nationally. The crisis line received approximately 1182 calls or emails in FY 2008 and provided services to 363 families with 448 children in 56 different countries.