Three programs for sexual and domestic violence survivors defunded
Three programs have been defunded among other cuts to services for individuals who have experienced sexual and domestic violence following the Iowa Legislature’s decision to decrease funding for victim services by 26 percent. Additional funding cuts at the federal level also contributed to the shortfall.
The three services defunded are the 24/7 Iowa Sexual Abuse Hotline, run by the Rape Victim Advocacy Program (RVAP); Transformative Healing, which specializes in serving LGBTQIA+ survivors; and IowaARCh, a program under Monsoon United Asian Women of Iowa that provides an online chatline for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking and sex trafficking.
“What the legislators said then was they didn’t project those cuts to negatively impact services,” Adam Robinson, executive director of RVAP, said of Iowa legislators’ decision to cut funding. “But now, to say that services aren’t going to be impacted is not accurate. With such a big cut in budget so quickly it is challenging, but we’re looking to figure out what options we’ve got to try to sustain some level of hotline support in the state.”
