Resources

Medical Advocacy

What Medical Advocates Need to Know
This IowaCASA document outlines the role of a medical advocate and the steps to follow in responding to a sexual assault victim in a medical facility.

Child, Teen and Adult Survivors of Incest Advocacy Tips
This document highlights tips for advocates working with child, teen and adult survivors of incest.

National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) Advocacy Resources

Resources By Type
Resources created by the NSVRC, state sexual assault coalitions, and other partners are organized by resource types. The categories include: Medical Advocacy, Public Education Materials, Event Planning, Policy Advocacy, Books and Films, Community Organizing/Outreach, Primary Prevention, and Effective Campaign Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation.

Legal Advocacy

IowaCASA Victim Right Notification Poster
Effective July 1, 2005 Iowa law requires that law enforcement officers provide victims of sexual assault with a written statement of their rights in English & Spanish. IowaCASA staff developed this poster to inform law enforcement agencies and other organizations service victims of this important change to our law. If you have any questions about this poster or the victim notification cards please contact IowaCASA's Staff Attorney at 515.244.7424 or Email IowaCASA's Staff Attorney.

IowaCASA Victim Rights Notification Cards - English & En Español
Effective July 1, 2005 Iowa law requires that law enforcement officers provide survivors of sexual assault with a written statement of their rights in English & Spanish. IowaCASA staff developed this victim notification card for use by law enforcement agencies and other organizations serving survivors of sexual assault.

Printing Information:

These cards are to be printed on 8 1/2" X 11" paper. It can be the paper weight of your choosing. Print both sides - one side for English, the other for Spanish. After printing you will need two horizontal cuts across the pages to end with three equal heights (3.6"). If you would like to tri-fold these, additional cuts should be made to remove excess paper from the edges. These cuts would be made along the left and right sides.

Iowa Department of Corrections Victim Services
The Department of Corrections Victim Services section includes information on:
* Restitution Programs
* Victim Registration
* Victim Notification by the Department of Corrections
* Victim Impact Statements
* Presence of Victim Counselors

Victim Counselor Privilege as outlined in the Iowa Code of Law.
Sexual assault survivors have a legal right to have an advocate with them during each aspect of the legal process.

Crime Victim Compensation Program
The Compensation Program helps victims with certain out-of-pocket expenses related to injuries from violent crime.

Criminal Justice Process
A chart to assist you in better understanding the criminal justice process.

How the Civil Justice System Differs from the Criminal Justice System - A Comparison in Iowa
This table clarifies the difference between civil and criminal systems of law.
Document courtesy of the Rape Victim Advocacy Program in Iowa City, Iowa.

Legislative Advocacy

 "Sexual Assault Advocacy Guide: An Advocate’s Guide to Sexual Assault Policy".
The National Alliance to End Sexual Violence (NAESV)'s "Sexual Assault Advocacy Guide" is a toolkit that outlines the process of being an effective political activist. This document provides information on understanding the legislative process; action tools to assist advocates with engaging with their Legislator's; media outreach strategies; federal advocacy and non-profit rules; and, a guide to State Sexual Assault Coalitions

Department of Education's Office on Civil Rights - Title IX Guidance
Also called the 'Dear Colleague Letter', specifies in detail how schools must comply with Title IX as it applies to sexual assault and sexual harassment on college campuses. The document is available here.