Taking action during Domestic Violence Awareness month
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month but domestic abuse affects people in every demographic in the Iowa City-Cedar Rapids corridor every day.
Domestic abuse is a pattern of intentional behavior, including physical, emotional, and psychological abuse. The goal is power and control over an intimate partner. It is not a matter of anger management: most abusers manage their tempers well at work, in the community, etc.
More than 1 in 3 women and more than 1 in 4 men in the U.S. have experienced physical violence, rape, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime. (National Domestic Violence Hotline)
It’s not easy to tell at the beginning of a relationship if it will become abusive. Warning signs include a partner with an unpredictable temper, excessive jealousy and possessiveness, threatening behavior, preventing you from seeing friends and family, humiliation and excessive criticism. You can see more warning signs here.
Iowa City domestic abuse stats for the first six months of 2018 are:
0 case involving use/display of guns
1 cases involving use/display of knives
54 cases involving alcohol use/intoxication
15 cases of strangulation (*not including Jul-Dec 2018 numbers)
56 cases with children physically present during the incident
39 victims injured
14 suspects injured
0 domestic assault fatalities of victims or their children
In 2017, the Iowa City Police Department and all other agencies in Johnson County implemented a research-based risk assessment program called ODARA, the Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment, as a pilot program in Iowa. Officers use the ODARA score to assign a risk level to each domestic assault offender after the arrest. That number is then used by the judicial system and other programs to provide an appropriate response, tailored to the needs of that specific offender. You can find more information on ODARA and the form online.
Honoring People Who Are Ending Domestic Violence
The Johnson County Coalition Against Domestic Violence (JCCADV) observes Domestic Violence Awareness Month by awarding the Pat Meyer Vision Award to a local individual and a business or organization for their work to prevent or end domestic violence or their support of domestic violence survivors. Ending domestic violence was and is Pat Meyer’s vision. Meyer founded the first shelter in Iowa City and was the first director of DVIP, the Domestic Violence Intervention Program. She is one of our local leaders who continues to deserve our honor and gratitude.
To nominate someone, go to: www.surveymonkey.com/r/3LSP8NG
The Pat Meyer Vision Awards will be presented Thursday, October 25th at 12:00 pm at the Iowa City Public Library. A simple lunch will be provided. The community is welcome.
How to help prevent sexual violence by being an active bystander and choosing intervention, not silence: (From RVAP, Rape Victim Advocacy Program, in IC) www.rvap.uiowa.edu/assets/Uploads/Bystander-ALL-Brochure-4.20.15.pdf
What to say to someone you think someone is being abused: www.clicktoempower.org/domestic-violence-facts/what-to-say-when-you-think-someone-is-being-abused
How to recognize abusive behaviors :
Johnson County: Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP) Hotline: 319-351-1043. Toll Free: 800-373-1043.
Linn County: Waypoint: 24 hour Crisis & Support Line 319-363-2093 or 800-208-0388
Johnson County: RVAP: Rape Victim Advocacy Program. Crisis Line: 319-335-6000 or 800-228-1625