7 steps the Iowa Attorney General is taking to help survivors of domestic violence

DAVENPORT, Iowa (KWQC) – Iowa held its first domestic violence conference to highlight the attorney general's office's efforts to help survivors.

Attorney General Brenna Bird's conference focused on reforms in the way crime victims seek compensation and access to resources to get back on their feet.

“We never want a domestic victim to be forced to stay with their abuser due to a lack of resources. That’s why we’re here to help, and that extends to the agencies we serve,” Bird said.

Law enforcement, advocates, legal experts and survivors discussed strategies to end domestic violence and support survivors.

“Too often, victims of crime are forgotten in the criminal justice system, and that is why we are always looking for them,” Bird said.

“We provide victim assistance to help them recover some out-of-pocket costs, including things like counseling and trying to make sure that we're training law enforcement and prosecutors, for example, on how to help and support victims through the process. “

Notable speakers included Gov. Kim Reynolds and survivors-turned-advocates such as actress April Hernandez-Castillo and retired NYPD detective Katrina Brownlee.

The Attorney General's Office is taking action to support survivors and stop domestic violence.

These efforts include:

• Establish a notification system for protection orders so that survivors are warned before the order expires and do not encounter their abusers without warning.
• Working with Governor Kim Reynolds, $5.5 million was allocated to assist crime victims in all 99 counties. This includes providing victim witness coordinators and advocates to support them throughout the court process.
• Training prosecutors and law enforcement on domestic violence cases.
• Providing funds to help survivors get back on their feet.
• Doubling the salary of nurses who help victims of sexual assault

THERE ARE NOT JUST WOMEN

Freedom House in Princeton, Illinois, served more than 900 victims of domestic and sexual violence last year.

“There's still this idea that domestic violence looks a certain way or that it has to be black eyes and bruises and it doesn't have to be just that,” said founder and program manager Amber Killian.

One of the biggest misconceptions she hears about domestic violence is that it only happens to women.

“We support a lot of men in our program. Be it in our counseling program or in the legal program. “Many men experience domestic violence and even sexual violence as children,” she said. “It may impact them as adults and they may come here to receive services.”

Her advice to people who want to support their loved ones is to listen, support and believe them.

“Help them find that light,” Killian said.

Killian has been at Freedom House for 15 years.

The problem is deeply personal. She has witnessed the serious effects of domestic violence.

“I feel like it’s meant to be,” she said. “It’s my life’s work.”

Freedom House provides free emergency shelter, legal services, medical advocacy, psychotherapy, counseling and prevention education with funding from government grants and community donations.

“We offer a 24-hour hotline and emergency shelter; we offer medical and legal advice; We also offer counseling for adults and children, we have a therapy program, and we also offer substance use services. We have a recovery support specialist on staff here,” Killian said.

Freedom House primarily serves Bureau, Henry, Marshall, Putnam and Stark counties, but there is no residency requirement to receive services.

The authority's main administrative offices and housing are located in Princeton, with additional offices located in Geneseo, the Henry County Courthouse in Cambridge, Kewanee and Lacon.

Freedom House employs compassionate, highly trained and certified professionals to provide free, confidential and compassionate services to victims and their families, including a 24/7 hotline (800-474-6031), emergency shelter, medical advocacy, legal, adult, teen and Child psychotherapy, substance use recovery support and counseling, awareness programming, K-12 prevention education, and volunteer and job training.

For more information about their services or to donate, you can call 815-872-0087 or visit their website.

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