Domestic Violence 866-USWOMEN

This project enables our international toll free domestic violence crisis line, 866-USWOMEN, to operate 24/6 with accessibility from 175 countries to serve abused American women & children globally. The Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center works with abused Americans and their 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.

The Challenge

American women abused in foreign countries are often isolated, don’t speak the native language, have limited or no access to resources and are subject to systemic abuse. Abusers often hide the childrens’ American passports so she is unable to leave the country. American embassies cannot, in most cases, issue passports for minor American children without the approval of both parents. This policy is a huge obstacle to overcome.

How will this project solve this problem?

Advocates work with callers to empower them to make decisions about the abuse in their lives and in the lives of their children. Each situation is uniquely different and advocates assist in determining which barriers are tangible and which barriers are perceived to determine the best possible outcome for the family.

Potential Long Term Impact

The project serves 500 women per year empowering them to find alternatives to a life of violence so their children grow up in violence free homes with their self-esteem in tact with the hope of stopping the cycle of violence in future generations.

To contact the toll-free crisis line from overseas, first dial your AT&T USADirect access number and at the prompt, enter our phone number: 866-USWOMEN (879-6636).