The University of Iowa Rape Victim Advocacy Program (RVAP) to Transition Services to the Domestic Violence Intervention Program

The Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP) and the University of Iowa Rape Victim Advocacy Program (RVAP) have reached an agreement to transition sexual assault services to the Domestic Violence Intervention Program.

While in the early stages of logistics DVIP will develop a new department to meet the growing needs of the communities within DVIP/RVAP’s shared service region, including eight counties in Southeast Iowa. This collaboration is a natural fit for DVIP/RVAP because of the over 40 years of shared historical collaborations on advocacy, dating violence, prevention education, and work within the communities they serve. In addition, the mission of RVAP mirrors, at its core, that of DVIP’s — providing immediate and long-term crisis support to victims of gendered violence.

The overall goal for the University of Iowa, RVAP, and DVIP is to allow space for victim services to grow in the most beneficial way for all victim-survivors throughout Southeastern Iowa. DVIPs credibility within the communities that we serve comes from years of experience, hiring locally, and delivering to the best of our ability the resources that victim-survivors need. DVIP will continue to offer this same support and dedication to victim-survivors of sexual assault and abuse throughout Southeastern Iowa. Currently, the target date for completion of this transition is Sept. 30.

There will be no loss in continuity of care for victim-survivors during the transition between RVAP and DVIP as it is being well thought out through conversations with staff, funders, coalitions, experts in the field and community partners.

"The historical significance of the Rape Victim Advocacy Program is profound and I have such tremendous respect for this program," Executive Director for the Domestic Violence Intervention Program Kristie Fortmann-Doser says. "DVIP is truly honored that such thoughtful conversations brought our respective organizations together to ensure resources for sexual assault victim/survivors continue. For over 40 years we have learned from our communities that maintaining a strong commitment to meeting the growing needs of victim-survivors in our rural communities, hiring locally, and delivering to the best of our ability the resources that victim-survivors need is vital to their healing and navigating a path to safety. The overall goal is to allow space for victim services to grow in the most beneficial way for all victim-survivors throughout our service region.”

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. To learn more about DVIP, please visit our website at www.dvipiowa.org. Individuals who need help should call their hotline at 1-800-373-1043.