Danger-to-Safety Relocation for DV Survivors

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.