PRESS RELEASES
October 2024
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DES MOINES, Iowa – October 2, 2024 – In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) will host its 4th Annual Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Tribute on Saturday, October 5, 2024. The Tribute will be from 12-4 p.m. at Union Park, 1801 Pennsylvania Avenue (by the Carousel), in Des Moines.
The Tribute is a community-centered event featuring live performances by Calle Sur and spoken word artists. It also features a variety of family-friendly activities, such as carousel rides from 1- 3 p.m., face painting, and a community resource fair. Guests can also enjoy food and drinks, and all activities are provided free of charge.
“Supporting victims, families, and communities affected by violence is a collective responsibility,” says Dr. Maria Corona, Executive Director of ICADV. “Gender-based violence is a public health crisis with serious repercussions for all of us. The Tribute offers a meaningful space for the community to unite, reflect, and uplift the stories of Iowans impacted by violence.”
ICADV invites the community to come together in remembrance of individuals who have lost their lives to gender-based violence. Attendees are encouraged to bring photos of loved ones to place on the Ofrenda (altar), honoring their memory.
August 2024
ICADV Applauds Governor Reynolds & AG Bird $5.5 m funding commitment for crime victim services
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DES MOINES, Iowa – August 8, 2024 – The Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) is relieved on behalf of the victim service providers they represent and extremely grateful to Governor Reynolds and Attorney General Bird for committing $5.5 million in federal ARPA funding from Iowa’s State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund to help ensure Iowa crime victims continue to have access to critical support services in all of Iowa’s 99 counties.
“We are extremely grateful for their leadership and support in allocating these federal funds to victim support services. This one-time bridge funding was desperately needed to help fill a gaping hole resulting from the 42% cut to Iowa’s FY24 federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) victim assistance grant. The loss of $5.4 million to Iowa’s largest source of funding for victim services would have decimated the capacity of service providers to continue offering the same level of support to crime victims,” said Dr. Maria Corona, ICADV Executive Director.
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April 2024
Victim service provider agencies urge lawmakers to increase state funding to support crime victims
The Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) and the Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault (IowaCASA) alongside their network of 26 victim support provider agencies, express cautious optimism regarding recent legislative progress while highlighting critical concerns about the capacity to aid crime victims without additional state funding.
Yesterday, the Iowa House Appropriations Committee approved a draft budget bill allocating $5.5 million for victim services, marking a $500,000 increase from the previous year. While acknowledging this is the first state funding increase for victim services in a decade, this amount falls significantly short of the $10 million requested by victim service providers to meet the escalating demand for services.
Victim service provider agencies offer essential support services to victims of domestic violence, rape, human trafficking, child abuse, and other violent crimes. Their services range from crisis intervention to post-crisis support, including counseling, safety planning, legal system navigation, job applications, securing housing, and regaining financial stability. In the past year, these agencies served most of the 54,404 crime victims seeking assistance from agencies funded by the Iowa Attorney General's office.
Compounding this challenge, Iowa faces a daunting 42% reduction in FY24 federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Victim Assistance grant funding – an estimated $5.4 million loss – posing a catastrophic threat to victim service provider agencies’ ability to support crime victims adequately. Regrettably, the current Iowa Senate budget proposal offers no additional funding for these vital services. Victim service provider agencies appreciate the efforts of House Justice System Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Brian Lohse (R-45) to mitigate the immediate impact of the substantial federal funding reduction and his ongoing work to find additional dollars to ensure that support remains available for crime victims and their families.
February 2024
Advocates Rally for Iowa Crime Victims: ICADV and IowaCASA Host Advocacy Day at State Capitol
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The Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) and the Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault (IowaCASA) alongside their network of 26 victim support provider agencies, are gearing up for a crucial Advocacy Day at the Iowa State Capitol on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, from 10 a.m. to
1 p.m. Their collective goal is to urge legislators to address the urgent need for at least a $10 million investment in state funding for Iowa
crime victims.
The current landscape for the availability of victim support services in Iowa is reaching a critical moment as the demand for support services continues to rise and funding to provide victim services dwindles, stretching existing victim support provider agencies thin and struggling to meet the needs of survivors across the state. State funding for victim services has not increased for a decade and now, at the forefront of this persistent challenge is the impending 41% cut to Iowa's largest source of federal funds for victim assistance, a move that threatens the very core of support for those most vulnerable in our communities.
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January 2024
Iowa Attorney General Advocates for Crucial Funding Increase to Protect Crime Victims
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The Iowa Attorney General's Office submitted its fiscal year 2025 state budget request, aiming to secure a $4.6 million increase for Victim Assistance Grants designed to fortify agencies across the state providing support services to victims of violent crime. Attorney General Bird's dedication to actively seek additional state funds is applauded, recognizing the critical role these funds play for Iowa crime victims, especially in light of the imminent threat of a potential 41% reduction in Iowa's largest source of federal funding for victim services – generated entirely through non-taxpayer revenues—via the federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA).
This looming federal funding cut could result in a substantial $5 million loss to agencies providing support services to survivors, families, and communities across the state. The impact would be particularly devastating, decimating the capacity of victim service provider agencies to maintain statewide access to comprehensive support services. Rural areas and small programs catering to communities disproportionately affected by violence would be particularly affected.
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October 2023
Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) hosting its 3rd Annual Dia de los Muertos Tribute in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month​
The Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) is hosting its 3rd Annual Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Tribute on Saturday, October 14, 2023, in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). The event will be from 12-4 p.m. at Union Park, 1801 Pennsylvania Avenue (by the Carousel), in Des Moines.
This year's Tribute will include live music from Calle Sur and an array of performers, guest speakers, children's activities including a bounce house and face painting, a community resources fair, food and drinks, and so much more. The Tribute and all activities are free for attendees!
ICADV invites the community to join them in remembering the names, faces, and stories of individuals who have lost their lives to gender-based violence. Attendees are welcome to bring a photograph of a loved one to place on this year's Ofrenda (altar) designed by Latinos in Action, a youth leadership class through the Des Moines Public School District, to honor and elevate the stories and names of individuals who have been taken from their families and communities too soon.
"Supporting victims, families, and communities impacted by violence takes all of us," says Dr. Maria Corona, executive director of ICADV. "Gender-based violence is a public health issue with severe consequences for everyone. Our 3rd Annual Dia de los Muertos Tribute is an opportunity for the community to come together, recognize, and support the stories of Iowans who have experienced violence."
To learn more about the Tribute, click here.​
April 2023
State investment in comprehensive services is vital to the safety of Iowa crime victims
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Our promise to Iowa crime victims must be clear: when you come forward for help and support, it will be available. We can do better. Access to housing is the #1 barrier to safety and stability for victims leaving an abusive home or recovering from a violent crime and the most requested support when seeking assistance from a local service provider. Still, two bills that reduce barriers to safe housing for crime victims – and all Iowans – and received overwhelming bi-partisan support at the Iowa Legislature appear unlikely to pass this session.
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But there is still time for Iowa legislators to provide meaningful support for crime victims. The Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) and the Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault (IowaCASA) urge Iowa legislators to approve a state budget investing $10 million in state funds for crime victim support services. Current state funding of $5 million is woefully insufficient to meet the demand for support services. It is wholly inadequate for keeping our promise to crime victims of enhancing access to the comprehensive support they need and deserve.
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Collectively, the Coalitions represent a nationally recognized network of 26 local victim service provider agencies supporting victims of violent crime, including families impacted by homicide; survivors of domestic and sexual violence, including stalking, rape, and child abuse; and survivors of human trafficking. Most of the 55,000 victims* who sought support from Iowa victim service provider agencies last year received support from one of these agencies. (2022 Victim Assistance Annual Report*)
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These local programs provide free, confidential services to crime victims 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Beyond the obvious importance of providing crisis assistance, when service providers help victims avoid homelessness, maintain stable employment, and keep children in school, it eases the workload of other community service providers. When these agencies assist law enforcement at crime scenes or help victims navigate legal proceedings, they enable the criminal justice system to serve victims better. In short, investing state dollars in local programs helps victims recover, which improves economic stability and helps Iowa communities.
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Everyone cares about victims, just like everyone wants safe communities and Iowans to be housed and safe in their homes. But it takes money and people to provide that support. An investment of $10 million in state funds for crime victim support services helps create communities where victims feel safe and supported.
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October 2022
October 13, 2022
The Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) is hosting their 2nd Annual Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Tribute on Saturday, October 15, 2022, in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). The event will occur from 1-4 p.m. at
Water Works Park in Des Moines.
This year’s Tribute will include live music from Calle Sur, spoken word performances, children’s activities, a community resource fair, chocolate and pan dulce – traditional Dia de los Muertos treats, and a free COVID-19 Mobile Clinic hosted by Primary Health Care, Inc., and the Refugee & Immigrant Vaccine Alliance (RIVA) in partnership with L.U.N.A., and ICADV. The event and all activities are free.
The Coalition invites the community to join them in remembering the names, faces, and stories of individuals who have lost their lives to gender-based violence. Attendees are welcome to bring a photograph of a loved one to place on this year's Ofrenda (altar) designed by Dawn Martinez Oropeza, Jennifer Cardenas-Hernandez, Ivy Florez, and |drÄ“m|sÄ“d|, a youth-led business created by young people from Al Éxito, to honor and elevate the stories and names of individuals who have been taken from their families and communities too soon.
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