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The Mission of the Domestic Violence Intervention Program is to provide comprehensive support and advocacy services to victim/survivors, focusing on immediate and long-term safety, empowerment, dignity, and hope. In collaboration with the community, we strive to end domestic abuse through education, accountability, and social justice.DVIP provides services to victim/survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking and human trafficking. In today’s society, intimate partner violence is widely known to be one of the greatest physical dangers to women. Women, men and children are murdered each year and the risk of child abuse is much greater in households where domestic violence occurs. Responding to intimate partner violence is critical and requires a community-wide effort. Support for victims of intimate partner violence and their loved ones is available in Johnson, Iowa, Cedar, Des Moines, Henry, Lee, Van Buren and Washington Counties through the Domestic Violence Intervention Program.
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1977
The University of Iowa’s Women’s Resource and Action Center
receives a grant to explore the problem of Domestic Violence in our community.1979
Aid and Alternatives to Victims of Spouse Abuse was established
1980
The Domestic Violence Intervention Program shelter was opened
offering counseling and a 24-hour crisis line.1980’s
the program grew to add additional staff
1984
Expanded Shelter
1986
“Mandatory arrest law” goes into effect, arrest rate increased by 54% in a six month time period;
DVIP experienced a 300% increase in requests for service.1991
DVIP’s service area grows to include Cedar, Washington and Iowa Counties
1993
construction of a 13 room shelter is complete
1994
Jones County is added to our service area
2010
Established a “Transitional Housing Program” to assist families with housing and rent for an entire year
2013
State regionalization of Domestic Violence Programs changes our service area to cover these 8 counties
–Johnson, Iowa, Cedar, Washington, Des Moines, Henry, Lee and Van Buren2015
DVIP was awarded a national grant from RedRover to expand our support services, helping us establish Cooper’s House: kennel services in our emergency shelter for our client’s pets. Even before Cooper’s House, DVIP helped facilitate pet fostering and raise funds for pet essential such as food and medical treatment.
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Scott McDonough Chair
Laura Shoemaker Recorder
Rebecca Coblentz Treasurer
Jim Houghton
Michael Nolan
Jerry Full
Heather Stumpf
Josh Schamberger
Linda Farkas
Elisa Lyons
Cayla Swift
Kristie Fortmann-Doser Executive Director