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Violence against women affects all racial, cultural
and economic backgrounds. It is a leading cause of injury for American
women between the ages of 15 and 54, but it can happen at any age. Acts
of violence have terrible and costly results for everyone involved, including
families, communities, and society. Violence can take several forms including
domestic or intimate partner violence, sexual assault and abuse, dating
violence, and elder abuse.
This page will provide you with information on all of these types of
violence against women, including specific resources for each type of
violence and on how to get help.
Violence against women in any form is a crime, regardless of who committed
the violent act. It is always wrong, whether the abuser is a family member;
someone you date; a current or past spouse, boyfriend, or girlfriend;
an acquaintance; or a stranger. You are not at fault. You did not cause
the abuse to occur, and you are not responsible for the violent behavior
of someone else. If you or someone you know has been sexually, physically,
or emotionally abused, seek help from other family members and friends
or community organizations. Reach out for support or counseling. Talk
with a health care provider, especially if you have been physically hurt.
Learn how to minimize your risk of becoming a victim of sexual assault
or sexual abuse before you find yourself in an uncomfortable or threatening
situation.
Definitions:
Domestic Violence | Sexual
Assault | Dating Violence | Elder Abuse
Iowa
Laws: Domestic Violence Resources
Iowa Code
for Dependent Adult Abuse - this is the law enacted to protect
dependent adults in Iowa
State/National Organizations
Iowa Domestic Violence Shelters
Domestic
Violence Prevention Program - Iowa Department of Public Health
National Center on Elder Abuse
Family Violence Prevention Fund/National Health Resource Center on Domestic
Violence
National Latino Alliance for the Elimination of Domestic Violence
Phone Resouces
Iowa Healthy Families Line - 1-800-369-2229
Iowa Domestic Violence
Hotline - 1-800-942-0333
Iowa Sexual Abuse
Hotline - 1-800-284-7821 or 515-244-7424 in the Des
Moines, IA area
Iowa Coalition Against
Domestic Violence - 1-800-942-0333
National Domestic Violence Hotine - 1-800-799-SAFE(7233) or 1-800-787-3224
(TTY) Resources
- Preventing Domestic Violence: Clinical Guidelines on Routine Screening
- You Deserve to Be Safe and
Healthy in Your Relationship
- You Deserve to Be Safe and
Healthy in Your Relationship (Spanish)
- Signs of Abuse
- Checklist
for Leaving an Abuser - A list of helpful items to get
together when you are planning on leaving an abusive situation
- Sexual
Assault is About Power, Control & Anger (Copyright © NCPC) - This publication contains
information on rape, what a woman should do if she is raped, and what
you can do to protect yourself and others from
being assaulted.
- Myths
and Facts about Sexual Violence -
This fact sheet debunks common misunderstandings about rape and sexual
assault. Topics discussed include victim characteristics, risk assumption,
drug use, perpetrators, location of rapes and more.
- Sexual Assault Fact Sheet (Copyright © AAFP) -
This fact sheet explains what a woman should do if she has been raped.
It describes the emergency room procedures for victims who go to the
hospital and also contains information for support services and other
resources.
- Wheel
Gallery developed by
the Domestic Abuse Intervention Project
Wheels include:
• Power and Control (in English and Spanish)
• Equality (in English and Spanish)
• Abuse of Children
• Nurturing Children
- Intimate
Partner Violence: Fact Sheet
- College Campus Safety Tips for Students
- Domestic Violence Resources
- Iowa Data on Domestic Violence
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