PUBLIC POLICY, RESEARCH
& ADVOCACY
EVERYONE DESERVES TO LIVE A LIFE FREE FROM VIOLENCE.
Feeling physically, mentally, and emotionally safe is a basic human right that every person and child deserves. Because violence impacts the health and well-being of entire communties, we work to prevent domestic violence through strong public policy, informed research, and advocacy that amplifies survivor voices and creates safe and thriving communities.
PUBLIC POLICY
The Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence represents 23 local crime victim service providers supporting survivors in every Iowa county. Intimate partner violence (IPV) remains a preventable but persistent public health problem with epidemic levels of prevalence. ICADV is committed to advancing policies to address the urgent needs of survivors, supporting increased funding for victim services to ensure statewide access to support, and promoting comprehensive responses to violence and effective solutions for ending and preventing it.
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We engage our membership and Iowa communities in advocacy efforts to promote positive public policy change through education and outreach to legislators. We provide input on legislation to Iowa state legislators and to Iowa’s U.S. Congressional delegation. We also comment on government agency policies and participate in working groups addressing issues impacting survivors.
RESEARCH AND REPORTING
ICADV is committed to advancing safety and accountability through research and reporting. By examining patterns, documenting the impact of violence, and highlighting contributing factors, we are able to call attention to the far-reaching impact of domestic violence on individuals, families, and communities – helping to shape solutions for lasting change.
REPORTS​​​​
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON RESEARCH AND REPORTING, CONTACT
DR. RUXANDRA MARCU, ICADV DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP AND RESEARCH STRATEGY, AT
(515) 244-8028 OR ruxandra@icadv.org.
ADVOCACY
WHAT IS ADVOCACY
AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
Advocacy is any action that speaks in favor of, recommends, argues for a cause, supports, defends, or pleads on behalf of others. There are multiple advocacy strategies for engaging and building relationships with policymakers, enlisting strategic allies, and mobilizing key stakeholders. Advocacy often involves educating policymakers, stakeholders (e.g., individuals, communities, and/or organizations), the public, media, etc., on unmet needs and/or the impact of policy decisions.
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Advocacy helps ensure that decisions on public policies are made with a thorough understanding of how they will affect the people and communities they impact. Elected officials and other policymakers make important decisions that affect the quality of our lives and our communities, including how our tax dollars are spent, how systems and communities respond to violence, and how people’s basic needs are met.
It is important that our team engage with legislators to help make important issues part of public policy discussions.
What can coalition members/supporters do to help our advocacy efforts?
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If you are interested in helping the coalition with advocacy, we recommend downloading the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence Advocacy Toolkit. This toolkit provides valuable information on:
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What advocacy is
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Advocacy vs. lobbying
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About the Iowa legislature
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ICADV advocacy strategies
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Tips for meeting with legislators
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Resources like contacts for legislators, the governor, Iowa’s U.S. Congressional delegation, terminology and definitions