top of page

Legal Advocacy

 

IowaCASA provides free legal services to survivors of sexual violence. There are no costs or fees associated with the legal services IowaCASA provides. IowaCASA is able to provide referrals to attorneys across the state who may offer legal services as well. 

​

To be eligible for legal services through IowaCASA, you must be:

  • 11 years old or older

  • a survivor of sexual harassment, sexual abuse, sexual assault, rape, and/or stalking

  • Our services are focused on, but not limited to, working with survivors in rural areas. Survivors living in rural areas in Iowa will be given priority.

 

If you do not know if you are eligible for services or if you have questions about what is offered, we encourage you to contact our legal department for more information by emailing our legal advocate at advocate@iowacasa.org

​

To download a legal referral form for IowaCASA's legal department, click the button below.

Civil remedies exist for Iowans who have experienced sexual violence. As of July 1, 2017, someone who has experienced a sexual assault may petition the court for a sexual assault civil protective order. Sexual assault protective orders provide additional options and security that hadn't been possible up until this point.

​

Based on your current situation, you may qualify for civil remedies in the state of Iowa. You may consult with an attorney or talk to an advocate about this option. An advocate is a a trained professional with knowledge about your options and resources. To find an advocate in your area, click here.

Meet IowaCASA's Legal Team

​

Sonci Kingery

Staff Attorney
legal@iowacasa.org

O: (515) 850-1914

M: (515) 850-8077

Sonci assists survivors with navigating the administrative process in secondary and post-secondary educational settings, as well as certain civil legal processes. Sonci graduated from Wartburg College in 2007 with majors in psychology and sociology and a minor in Woman’s Studies. She graduated from Drake University Law School in 2012. She served as IowaCASA’s Rural SART coordinator in 2015 before spending time at a private practice in West Des Moines. Her areas of practice included family law (dissolutions, establishment of paternity, child support and visitation), residential landlord/tenant, consumer rights, employment, and guardianships.

​

Josh Opperman
Staff Attorney

attorney@iowacasa.org

M: (515) 850-8078

Josh graduated from William Penn University in Oskaloosa with a degree in Business Management and then obtained his Juris Doctor from Drake University Law School in 2015. He previously worked in contact center management, consulting, and human resources, and has practiced law in a variety of settings primarily in the areas of employment, family law, landlord/tenant, domestic violence, criminal law, and estate and probate. Additionally, Josh has taught classes in human resources topics, law, and information systems as an adjunct instructor at local universities and has served on a number of non-profit boards.

​

Laura Velazquez

Legal Advocate

advocate@iowacasa.org

O: (515) 850-1922

m: (515) 850-6188

Laura works with the coalition's legal team to provide legal support and resources to survivors of sexual assault. Before joining IowaCASA, Laura started as a volunteer in 2013 with L.U.N.A. (Latinas Unidas por Un Nuevo Amanecer), a culturally specific program in Des Moines, where she later became a full-time Sexual Assault Coordinator. Laura is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Human Services with a minor in physiology. She speaks and writes Spanish fluently. 

bottom of page