Services for Battered and Abused Women or Men

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?

Help is available

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.

• Latinas Unidas Por Un Nuevo Amanecer (L.U.N.A.) is located in Des Moines. The 24-hour helpline is 1.866.256.7668. More information is at https://www.facebook.com/LUNAIowa/timeline 
• Monsoon Asians and Pacific Islanders in Solidarity has locations in both Des Moines and Iowa City. They can be reached at 1.866.881.4641, and more information is at https://monsooniowa.org/about-us/

Visit this page for a list of resource centers for victims of domestic violence in Iowa: http://www.icadv.org/#!services-in-iowa/cktc

24-Hour Help Crisis Lines

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