Children of domestic violence survivors

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

Thank you for your generous support and donations. Between January 1 and March 10, 2010, the Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center received a total of 494 crisis calls, emails, and live chats, 341 of the crisis communications involved children. • January- 181 crisis calls, emails, and live chats and 115 of these crisis communications involved children • February- 188 crisis calls, emails, and live chats and 138 of these crisis communications involved children • March- 125 crisis calls, emails, and live chats and 88 of these crisis communications involved children between March 1 and March 10. American overseas survivors of domestic violence with children face many obstacles in getting themselves and their children to safety. These obstacles include not having access to the children's passports, travel bans placed on the survivor and/or her children, and international child custody laws. AODVC’s International Case Managers and Advocates provide American overseas survivors of domestic violence with resources, tools, and support, empowering the survivor to make educated decisions about her situation. The following quote was sent to Caitlin McGuan, AODVC Crisis Services Coordinator, from a survivor in El Salvador. “I want to take this opportunity to thank you again for all the help and support you’ve been giving to me and my children. I really appreciate it, and I know we wouldn’t have made it even this far if it hadn’t been for you. God bless you.” Thank you again for supporting children of American overseas survivors of domestic violence.