One out of every four American women is abused: a shocking statistic. The incidence of abuse to women and men who have come to the U.S. as immigrants or refugees is much higher.
Many people don’t understand why anyone would stay in a place where they are being abused, but if you are one of these people, you know why. You are told that you deserve to be hit. You have been isolated so that you believe there is no help and that no one cares. Even if someone might care, it’s too embarrassing to tell them. You may still be in love and you may just keep hoping it will stop. It is scary to think about leaving: What if you get caught? Will I be deported? Will they take my children? What do you do without a job? Without money?
Projects for abused women and children are located throughout the state of Iowa. Most of these have shelters that provide a safe home, food and clothing. The length of stay at the shelter varies, depending upon the size of the staff and the size of the shelter. Iowa also has good laws to protect victims of abuse.
The Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence has a 24-hour number you can call: 1.800.942.0333. There is specific information for immigrants and refugees on their website: https://www.icadv.org/legal-clinic
There is also a National Crisis Line that is answered 24-hours: 1.800.799.7233.
There are shelters specifically for Latin women and also for Asian women.
Visit this page for a list of resource centers for victims of domestic violence in Iowa: http://www.icadv.org/#!services-in-iowa/cktc
Amani Community Services is a culturally specific domestic violence and sexual assault agency serving African Americans in Black Hawk and Linn Counties. Staff provides counseling, out reach services, personal advocacy, legal advocacy, children’s programming and information and referrals. For information or to reach out to an advocate, please visit https://www.amani-cs.org/
Statewide
Iowa Domestic Violence & Victim Call Center
1.800.770.1650
Statewide
Iowa Sexual Assault Hotline
1.800.284.7821
Statewide
Deaf Iowans Against Abuse
319.531.7719
515.661.4015 (Text only)
National
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1.800.799.7233
Adel
Crisis Intervention & Advocacy Center
1.800.400.4884
Ames
ACCESS – Assault Care Center Extending Shelter & Support
1.800.203.3488
Atlantic
Family Crisis Support Network
1.800.696.5123
Burlington
YWCA Domestic Violence Shelter & Sexual Assault Program
1.800.693.1399
Cedar Rapids
Waypoint Services for Women, Children & Families
1.800.208.0388
Clinton
YWCA Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Resource Center
1.800.381.9319
Council Bluffs
Catholic Charities Phoenix House
1.888.612.0266
Creston
Rural Iowa Crisis Center
1.888.782.6632
Davenport
Domestic Violence Advocacy Program
563.326.9191
Decorah
The Domestic & Sexual Abuse Resource Center
1.800.383.2988
Dubuque
YWCA Domestic Violence Program
1.800.332.5899
Fort Dodge
Domestic/Sexual Assault Outreach Center
1.888.356.2006
Grundy Center
Seeds of Hope
1.888.746.4673
Iowa City
Domestic Violence Intervention Program
1.800.373.1043
Keokuk
Tri-State Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Abuse
1.800.498.5095
Marshalltown
Domestic Violence Alternatives/Sexual Assault Center
1.800.779.3512
Mason City
Crisis Intervention Service
1.800.479.9071
Muscatine
Sexual Assault/Domestic Abuse Advocacy Program
866.921.3354
Oskaloosa
Crisis Intervention Services
1.800.270.1620
Ottumwa
Crisis Center and Women’s Shelter
1.800.464.8340
Sioux Center
Family Crisis Centers of NW Iowa
1.800.382.5603
Sioux City
Council on Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence
1.800.982.7233
Spencer
CAASA – Centers Against Abuse & Sexual Assault
1.877.362.4612
Waverly
Cedar Valley Friends of the Family
1.800.410.7233