October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

MT. PLEASANT — With the fall season officially here, the Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP) announces their activities and events calendar for Domestic Violence Awareness Month this October.

The month will consist of opportunities to support victim-survivors within their eight-county service area.

DVIP’s Ninth Annual Shop for Safety will be held at the Hy-Vee and Fareway stores in Washington, Mt. Pleasant, Burlington, and Fort Madison on Oct. 4 from 4-7 p.m.

Each year, the donations from this event fills DVIP’s shelter pantry for six months with all donations going directly to women, children, and families.

Shopping List items include gift cards, diapers, paper towels, hygiene items, toilet paper, dish soap, laundry soap, Tylenol and ibuprofen, and cleaning supplies.

To view the full list of items, visit the Top Needs List on the DVIP website at dvipiowa.org/top-ten-needs

"We are so pleased to be continuing Shop for Safety in our southern counties, and we are grateful for the support our communities have given us over the course of its nine-year run," Director of Community Engagement for DVIP Alta Medea said. "In the past five years, DVIP has served 38% more victim-survivors in this area of our service region. It is vital for us to meet the increased need and continuously provide the best possible resources across all eight of our counties.”

DVIP will host a baked goods drive this month to give back to emergency medical technicians, firefighters, police departments and sheriff’s departments that have served victim-survivors in all eight counties.

DVIP invites the public to join them in preparing a little sweet treat to thank all these public safety officials for all they do for victim-survivors.

If you would like to donate baked goods, please contact 319-359-9353 by October 6th.

A little farther from home in Iowa City on Oct. 18 DVIP staff, advocates and other supporters will gather at Sidekick Coffee and Books for a discussion on Stephanie Land's memoir [ITALICS] Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother's Will to Survive, with a panel discussion to follow regarding the effect of poverty on victim-survivors, the barriers on their path to safety and how the community can support those most vulnerable.

Panelists will include DVIP Assistant Executive Director Delaney Dixon, HACAP Case Management Coordinator Alesha Packer and DVIP Director of Community Engagement Alta Medea.

10% of MAID book sales made through Sidekick and any purchases that evening will go directly to supporting victim-survivors and DVIP.

Finally, Oct. 20, DVIP invites communities to show their support for victim-survivors by wearing purple which represents the most vulnerable in the communities nationwide.

If you do participate in wearing purple, DVIP encourages you to share photos on social media with the hashtag #PurpleForAPurpose and tell the world why you wear purple.

The DVIP works hard to serve its communities with the goal of ending domestic violence in all forms.

Violence by an intimate partner is the single greatest cause of injury to women. Trauma and its impact on women, men, and children has been well documented as a significant public health concern.

For over 40 years, DVIP has partnered with the community to support victims/survivors and provide safety solutions and life-changing resources.

Violence against women, men, and children happens every day. 1 in 4 women, 1 in 7 men, and 1 in 15 children will be affected by intimate partner abuse in their lifetime.

About the Domestic Violence Intervention Program: DVIP provides comprehensive services to victim-survivors of intimate partner violence. For over 40 years, DVIP has offered support, resources, and safety to individuals in an eight-county service region which includes Cedar, Des Moines, Henry, Iowa, Johnson, Lee, Van Buren, and Washington counties. DVIP’s services include a 24/7/365 hotline, shelter, safety planning, advocacy, trauma-informed counseling, emergency pet programs, and more. Individuals who need help should call their hotline at 1-800-373-1043.