About DVIP & RVAP

Free and confidential hotline

800.228.1625
800.373.1043

The Mission of DVIP & RVAP is to provide comprehensive support services to persons affected by domestic violence, sexual violence, dating violence, stalking, and human trafficking, focusing on immediate and long-term safety, dignity, and hope. Support for affected persons and their loved ones is available in Johnson, Iowa, Cedar, Des Moines, Henry, Lee, Van Buren, and Washington Counties.

2563

Total served FY24

368

Served in shelter FY24

18,032

Bed/nights FY24

198

Youth Served FY24

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Shelter with Office
Outreach/Satellite Office
Transitional Housing
Scattered Housing Sites
Mobile Offices

All services are free and confidential.
DVIP 800.373.1043
RVAP 800.228.1625

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

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 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 8 counties: Johnson, Iowa, Cedar, Washington, Des Moines, Henry, Lee and Van Buren

2015

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 essentials such as food and medical treatment.

2024

Construction of Terry Fortman Emergency Shelter is completed, doubling the capacity of the 1993 shelter. DVIP transitions to DVIP & RVAP, to offer support to victim-survivors of sexual abuse throughout Southeastern Iowa.

Bontrager, Aaron (Iowa City)

• Finance Committee
• Succession Committee

Affiliations
• Owner – Payroll Vault (Payroll and Human Services)
• Rotary Club Member
• Kiwanis Member

Coblentz, Rebecca (Ely)

• Finance Committee

Affiliations
• Branch Manager, Great Western Bank
• Wellington Heights Neighborhood Association Treasurer

Farkas, Linda (Iowa City)

• Finance Committee
• Co-Chair– Executive Committee, FY25

Affiliations
• Retired Commercial Banker
• Iowa City Public Library
• Iowa City Noon Rotary
• Coralville Public Library

Full, Jerry (Iowa City)

• Building Committee
• Finance Committee
• Capital Campaign Executive Committee

Affiliations
• Real Estate Development
• Former Chair, Englert Civic Theatre
• Founding Board Member, Sciengistics, Inc
• Founding Board Member, ISeek Corp

Kunkel, Jule (Solon)

• New

Affiliations
• Vice President, Two Rivers Bank & Trust
• Treasurer, Holiday Lights at the Lake
• Board Member, Iowa Women’s Foundation
• Board Member, The Bird House

Lyons, Elisa (Riverside)

• Co-Chair – Executive Committee, FY25
• Finance Committee

Affiliations
• Iowa Family Counseling – Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counselor
• Mid-Prairie Foundation Board Member

McDonough, Scott (Iowa City)

• Past Co-Chair – Executive Committee, FY25
• Building Committee
• Finance Committee
• Capital Campaign Executive Committee

Affiliations
• Owner, McDonough Structures
• City of Iowa City Board of Appeals
• Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity
• Englert Theater Board of Directors

McGovern, Olivia (Iowa City)

• Community Engagement Committee

Affiliations
• Attorney, Bradley & Riley
• Hawkeye Service Program Volunteer

Nolan, Michael (Iowa City)

• Building Committee
• Capital Campaign Executive Committee

Affiliations
• Architect, Horizon Architecture, Principal Owner
• Willow Wind School Building and Facilities
• Lucas Elementary Outdoor Committee

O’Saurus, Elizabeth (Iowa City)

• Community Engagement Committee

Affiliations
• Community Health Worker, United Health Care
• Member, Graduate Genetics Committee University of Iowa

Ruffcorn, Alisha (North Liberty)

• Recorder – Executive Committee, FY25
• Community Engagement Committee

Affiliations
• Administrator, North Liberty Police Department
• Volunteer, Rape Victim Advocacy Program

Stumpf, Heather (Kalona)

• Treasurer – Executive Committee, FY25
• Finance Committee
• Capital Campaign Executive Committee

Affiliations
• Assistant Vice President/Controller, Greenstate Credit Union
• Board Member, Holy Trinity Catholic Church
• Board Member, Hospice of Washington County

Swift, Cayla (Iowa City)

• Capital Campaign Executive Committee

Affiliations
• Realtor
• Co-Owner, Big Grove
• Founding Member, 100+ Women Who Care

Waldie, William (Iowa City)

• New

Affiliations
• Retired, Transamerica Life/Aegon
• Blogger
• Johnson County Conservation Board
• Lower Cedar WMA – Board Member/Treasurer

Zimmon, Emily (Mt. Vernon)

• Development Committee

Affiliations
• An Enduring Legacy – Founder
• Chief Development Officer, Big Brothers/Big Sisters
• Co-Chair, Mt. Vernon Housing Coalition
• Secretary, Community Housing Initiatives


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Domestic violence (also referred to as intimate partner violence (IPV), dating abuse, or relationship abuse) is a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship.

Free and confidential hotline

800.373.1043
800.228.1625