At the Federation of American Women’s Clubs Overseas (FAWCO) annual conference in Boston earlier this month, Paula Lucas, the founder of one of the local chapters, told her personal story of trying to escape domestic violence while abroad in an interview aired on National Public Radio’s Here and Now saying “You have the perception that your (American) freedoms travel with you — and they don’t.” This is especially true of women who find themselves in a country that minimizes their rights.
One of the core missions of FAWCO is to provide a voice for American women abroad and to support the rights of Americans worldwide. Paula Lucas founded the Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center after she escaped from Dubai where she and her children had suffered physical abuse at the hands of her first husband. The local police were of no help because in that country fathers are allowed to discipline their children in any way they see fit. She had lobbied for help from the U.S. embassy, and U.S.-based family members worked the state department, their senators and representatives for help, but no government official wanted to intervene for fear of causing an international incident. It was solely up to Paula to get herself and her sons out. (Use the link to the radio interview above to hear how).
Paula doesn’t want other women to have to endure what she went through, and she knows the limits of finding the help you need abroad – a lot of shelters don’t speak English, you don’t have access to your own money, you don’t have a support network or anyone to talk to. Now word of help is getting out. Last month The American Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center call volume grew 330% over 2009. The Center can be reached internationally toll-free (866-USWOMEN) from 175 countries. It’s a source of assistance and support for abused Americans, mostly women and children, in both civilian and military populations overseas. The center answered 1,500 calls and helped 300 families last year.
HTB is digging into women’s rights issues around the world. Check back with us soon to see how countries compare.
Tags: American Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center, domestic abuse, FAWCO, Here and Now