Danger-to-Safety Relocation for DV Survivors

When we read Rebecca's first email to us we knew she was in serious danger. The abuse had escalated to her abuser in France strangling her: an indication of a higher possibility of lethality.

They had been living in the USA but had moved to France earlier this year. Her husband had promised her that moving to France would be a new start. Rebecca was hesitant as her husband had been emotionally abusive while they lived in the USA. But his promise of a better life, and Henry having the chance to be bi-lingual and bi-cultural convinced her to relocate.

Rebecca was torn. Henry loved living in France but she could not take her husband's abuse.

We helped Rebecca with safety planning, understanding what her options were and let her know that she needed to come home before Henry had spent six months in France. If not, France would be considered Henry's place of habitual residence. If she fled home after six months, her abuser could petition for the return of Henry to France due to the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction.

We came up with a plan. Rebecca successfully convinced her husband to let her and Henry come home to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with Rebecca's family, just under the six month time frame.

She is already in contact with an international family law attorney and is going to file for divorce and emergency custody of Henry and is seeking a family protection order. While she is worried about her abuser's reaction, she is safe at home in the USA and grateful for your support.

Your donation ensures that we are able to support victims like Rebecca and Henry and help them along their path to safety.

Thank you so much!

The Pathways' Team