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.