March 29, 2024

Iowa domestic violence helpline begins taking calls

Iowa Domestic Violence Helpline, a statewide domestic violence call center, began taking its first calls on Oct. 1.

The call center, a product of the Iowa Attorney General’s Office, is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. All services provided are completely free and confidential. It will be a great resource for victims and survivors, as well as an asset to the state.

The Iowa Domestic Violence Helpline currently has a staff of about 15. This number could increase depending on individual program needs and the overall call volume. The staff has undergone extensive training leading up to the launch.

Leadership staff studied with the National Domestic Violence Hotline in Austin, Texas, which also provided some trainers on site. Training included many hours of face-to-face, interactive training with both the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault. Staff also received training from many of the culturally specific groups from around Iowa, increasing their awareness of differing cultures and assuring that every caller receives the support they need. The final days of training involved role play calls from trained professionals. Those professionals debriefed staff after each call.

Why would a victim choose to call the Iowa Domestic Violence Helpline over emergency services, such as 911? There are many answers to that question. Some victims may call because they need to talk about the past hurt they have experienced. Some callers may be searching for resources without wanting to disclose their personal information and the helpline is completely confidential. While some callers may be searching for assistance when calling law enforcement, they are also searching for that support. Iowa Domestic Violence Helpline advocates can be that support victims or survivors may not have or may feel uncomfortable sharing with someone they know.

The Iowa Domestic Violence Helpline is now operating full time with a professional, compassionate staff. Not only can victims and survivors of domestic violence call in, but so can concerned family members, friends and more. The advocates are ready and able to help. When a victim or survivor calls in, they can expect that there will be no fees and no judgement — but a listening, caring person.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, or even if you're unsure, call the Iowa Domestic Violence Helpline at 800-770-1650. For more information on services, what to expect when you call and more, visit www.survivorshelpline.org. You can also find the Iowa Domestic Violence Helpline on Facebook and Twitter.