DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
INFORMATION


This candle burns for the
victim's and the families of domestic violence.
This candle will burn, as long as there is HOPE.

 SURVIVAL KIT

SEARCH ABLE IOWA CRIMINAL CODE  SEARCH
CLICK ON SEARCH (ABOVE) THEN ENTER 708 IN THE CHAPTER BOX, THEN ENTER 2A IN THE SECTION BOX AND THEN CLICK ON GO TO.  THIS WILL GIVE YOU THE CRIMINAL CODE FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.  TO RETRIEVE INFORMATION CONCERNING PROTECTION ORDERS, FOLLOW THE SAME PROCESS, ONLY ENTER 236 IN THE CHAPTER BOX.

    This informational page is  for the victim's and families of victims of domestic abuse.  DoVES and the Red Oak Police Department want you to know there is help for victims and children of domestic violence.  Please be sure you browse to the SURVIVAL KIT link above, it is loaded with information you can use NOW.
    First of all, you must realize that you are the victim.
    Second, domestic violence begins with smaller incidents and builds to the physical violence.  The abuser conditions the victim to feel that all forms of violence is the result of the victim's actions.  Therefore, the victim always feels they had it coming because they didn't do something right.
    Third, the victim is usually tied financially to the abuser.  Whether the abuser is the main source of income or not.
    Fourth, the victim has been conditioned to believe that law enforcement, the courts, the prosecutors and advocates will not and can not help them.
    Finally, domestic violence knows no socio-economic, racial, age or sex boundaries.  It has the potential to occur, sadly, in many of America's homes.  You, my friend, are not alone.  When your call for help comes, the Police Department will be ready and willing to help.  We will begin a chain of events that will spring many people and their resources into action.
    Experience from past cases, and I am speaking of over 25 years of personal experience, the victim drops the initial charges against the abuser, even when a law enforcement officer files in her behalf.  The regret the abuser tells the victim they have, followed with gifts (sometimes), helping with work around the house, etc. have a bearing in the action victim's take, NOT TO MENTION THE INTIMIDATION.  YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE INTIMIDATED ANY LONGER.  Probably one of the biggest problems is the victim overcoming the thought of not having some form of financial assistance and the feeling they have no where to turn to because of the children.  Oh the children, the silent victim's of domestic violence.  And what about the fears they have, what about their safety and the violence they have witnessed or even at times been victim of.  Children do learn from their environment.
    The Red Oak Police Department is here to help victim's of domestic abuse.  We have resources to refer victim's to....and they work.  You do not have to be afraid any longer.  There are people who care about your well being and the well being of your children.  Does this mean the Police Department is actively involved in trying to "break up relationships and homes"?  Not at all.  One of the first lessons the abuser must learn from a domestic violence arrest is, what they have been doing is unacceptable and illegal and it must stop.  Help is available for the abuser, as well.
This informational page is provided by the Domestic Violence Education & Shelter - DoVES.  DoVES is a non-profit corporation funded by the Violence Against Women Grants Program through the Office of Justice Program (a federal grant).  Victim and prosecution services are available to residents of Page, Mills, and Montgomery Counties, in Iowa.
DoVES has offices in each county where an advocate may be reached.
Page County: Cell phone 370-6111
Mills County: Cell phone 370-6112
Montgomery County: Cell phone 370-6113
Crisis Line: 1-800-696-5123
Main Office: 1-712-246-6187

ARE YOU AT RISK?

* Does your partner use intimidation or threats to control you?
* Does your partner use emotional abuse such as putting you down or calling you names?
* Does your partner use isolation to control where you go or who you see?
* Does your partner minimize or deny his abuse or blame you for his behavior?
* Does your partner use the children to make you feel guilty or threaten to take them away from you?
* Does your partner use "male privilege" to make all the decisions in your life or define what your role should be?
* Does your partner use economic abuse by withholding money, giving you an "allowance," or not allowing you knowledge of or access to funds?
* Does your partner use coercion or threats, such as threatening to hurt or kill you, leave you, commit suicide, report you to welfare, etc.?
CRISIS LINE: 1-800-696-5163

PROSECUTION SERVICES:

DoVES employs a full time assistant county attorney who prosecutes domestic violence offenders full time for the three county area.  That office is located in the Montgomery County Courthouse on the 3rd floor in Red Oak, Iowa.  Telephone: 1-712-623-6546  or you may   Fax: 1-712-623-6548.

DoVES SERVICES

24 HOUR CRISIS LINES
Crisis lines are answered by trained individuals who can connect victims of domestic violence/sexual assault to an advocate whenever necessary.
SHELTER
A confidential residential style shelter is available.  Personal items, basic supplies and food are provided to residents without other resources.  Emergency shelter is available in Mills, Page, and Montgomery Counties in Iowa.
SUPPORT SERVICES
Advocates are available to work with victims of domestic/sexual assault one-on-one.  Support groups are in the planning stage in this area for victims of domestic/sexual assault.
MEDICAL ADVOCACY
Advocates can accompany victims of domestic violence/sexual assault to physicians, hospital or ER for examinations.
COURT ADVOCACY
Explanation of court proceedings concerning domestic violence, sexual assault, custody, divorce, harassment, stalking, restraining/no contact order, etc.  Advocates can accompany victims to meet with attorneys to court or other court related functions.  The agency also provides referrals to victims seeking legal representation.
PERSONAL ADVOCACY
Information is provided on victim's rights, financial assistance, Crime Victim Compensation Program, unemployment benefits, landlord/tenant issues, work related problems, etc.  DoVES will also assist in making referrals to other appropriate agencies.
PUBLIC/PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION
DoVES staff can provide presentations at church, civic organizations, or other meetings to explain our services and educate the community on the dynamics of domestic violence.

YOU HAVE A RIGHT
TO LIVE SAFE!

SAFETY DURING AN EXPLOSIVE INCIDENT:
A.  If an argument seems unavoidable, try to have it in a room or area where you have access to an exit.  Try to stay away from the bathroom, kitchen, bedroom or anywhere else where weapons might be available.
B.  Practice how to get out of your home safely.  Identify which doors, windows, elevator, or stairwell would be best.
C.  Have a packed bag ready and keep it at a relative's or friends home in order to leave quickly.
D.  Identify one or more neighbors you can tell about the violence and ask that they call the police if they hear a disturbance coming from your home.
E.  Devise a code word to use with your children, family, friends and neighbors when you need the police.
F.  Decide and plan for where you will go if you have to leave home (even if you don't think you will need to).
G.  Use your own instincts and judgment.  If the situation is very dangerous, consider giving the abuser what he wants to calm him down.  You have the right to protect yourself until you are out of danger.
H.  Always remember - YOU DO NOT DESERVE TO BE HIT, THREATENED OR LIVE IN FEAR!

SAFETY WHEN PREPARING TO LEAVE:
A.  Open a saving account and/or credit card in your own name to start to establish or increase your independence.  Think of other ways to which you can increase your independence.
B.  Leave money, an extra set of keys, copies of important documents, extra medicines and clothes with someone you trust so you can leave quickly.
C.  Determine who would be able to let you stay with them or lend you some money.
D.  Keep the shelter or hotline number close at hand and keep some change or a calling card on you at all times for emergency phone calls.
E.   Review your safety plan as often as possible in order to plan the safest way to leave your batterer.  REMEMBER - LEAVING YOUR BATTERER IS A VERY DANGEROUS TIME.

SAFETY AT HOME:
A.  Change the locks on your doors as soon as possible.  Buy additional locks and safety devices to secure your windows.
B.  Discuss a safety plan with your children for when you are not with them.
C.  Inform your children's school, day care, etc. about who has permission to pick up your children.
D.  Inform neighbors and landlord that your partner no longer lives with you and that they should call the police if they see him near your home.

SAFETY WITH A PROTECTION ORDER:
A.  Keep your protection order on you at all times.  Give a copy to a trusted neighbor or family member.  Keep a copy in the glove compartment of your car.
B.  Call the police if your batterer breaks the protection order in ANY way.
C.  Think of alternative ways to keep safe if the police do not respond right away.
D.  Inform family, friends, neighbors and your physician that you have a protection order in effect.

SAFETY IN PUBLIC OR AT WORK:
A.  Decide who at work you will inform of your situation.  This should include office or building security.  Provide a picture of your batterer if possible.
B.  Arrange to have an answering machine, caller ID, or a trusted friend or relative screen your telephone calls if possible.
C.  Devise a safety plan for when you leave work.  Have someone escort you to your car, bus, or train and wait with you until you are safely enroute.  Use a variety of routes to go home if possible.  Think about what you would do if something happened while going home.

CHECKLIST - WHAT YOU NEED TO TAKE WHEN YOU LEAVE:
IDENTIFICATION
Drivers license
Children's birth certificates
Your birth certificate
Social Security Card
Welfare identification
FINANCIAL
Money and/or credit cards
Bank books
Checkbooks
LEGAL PAPERS
Your PROTECTION ORDER
Lease, rental agreement, house deed
Car registration & insurance papers
Health and life insurance papers
Medical records for you and the children
Work permits/VISA
Passport
Divorce papers
Custody papers
OTHER
House and car keys
Medications
Jewelry
Address book
Phone cards
Pictures of you, children & your abuser
Children's small toys
Change of clothes for you and your children

ABOUT PROTECTION ORDERS:
In IOWA you may receive relief from domestic abuse by obtaining a CHAPTER 236 PROTECTION ORDER which may include any one of these:
- an order to stop the violence
- an order that the abuser must stay a certain yardage away from you, your
    home, your school, your workplace, your car, etc.
- an order to remove the abuser from your home or provide you with suitable
    alternative housing
- an order for temporary child custody
- an order for temporary support for you and your children
- an order for a temporary child visitation schedule with the abuser
- an order for counseling
- an order for restitution
- an order for attorney fees
- and any other orders that may be necessary

THIS INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED THROUGH A BROCHURE PRINTED ON BEHALF OF DoVES.  THE RED OAK POLICE DEPARTMENT IS PROUD TO WORK IN CLOSE HARMONY WITH DoVES TO COMBAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT
TO LIVE WITHOUT THE FEAR
OF ASSAULT, THREATS OF VIOLENCE AND/OR THE
INTIMIDATION CAUSING FEAR.
NO MATTER WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN TOLD, THERE IS HELP!