Help Keep Our Confidential Crisis Email Operating

When Caitline emailed our crisis email she blamed herself for the abuse she experienced in Japan.

She had met a man on-line and they had a long-distance romance. When he bought her a ticket to visit him she could not wait to finally meet him in person. She took two weeks off of work.

Caitline flew to Japan and their time together was nice, but he was not someone she would want to keep on dating. She decided to wait until she got back home to tell him.

The morning of her flight he locked her in his apartment and would not let her leave. At first she thought he was just joking around. Then he became very agitated.

He told her she wasn't going home and took away her phone and laptop. She decided her best chance of escape was to act happy about it. She told him she was hoping that he would make her stay. For several days she played the part of the loving girlfriend until he let his guard down.

When he left the apartment to go to the store, she bolted, taking only the clothes she was wearing, her purse, her phone and her laptop.

Caitline ran for blocks until she found a coffee shop and emailed Pathways. We were able to guide her on what her options were in terms of law enforcement and medical response. Caitline felt that because she played along in order to escape, no one would believe her. She blamed herself for "being so stupid."

Caitline found a hotel for the night and we continued to provide emotional support, letting her know how brave and smart she was to play along so she could escape. She booked another return flight.

We connected her with recources in her area including medical followup and counseling.

Caitline is very grateful for our guidance during her ordeal. She is embarrassed and hasn't told anyone except Pathways and her counselor.

Thank you for your support of our crisis email so we can continue to help American victims in crisis abroad!

The Pathways' Team