Iowa City VA Health Care System

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Assistance Program

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Assistance Program 

 The VA’s Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program is committed to helping Veterans, their partners and also VA staff who are impacted by IPV. If you or someone you know could be experiencing and/or using IPV – help is available. 

What is IPV?

 Intimate partner violence, a type of domestic violence, refers to physical, verbal, emotional, sexual violence, or stalking between current or former intimate partners.

 

An intimate partner can include anyone with whom someone has had an intimate relationship – current or former spouses, boyfriends, girlfriends, significant others, partners, and romantic, dating, or sexual partners. Intimate relationships may or may not include sexual intimacy or cohabitation.

 

Threats of violence are ways to cause fear through words, actions, or weapons to harm the partner, their possessions, their pets, or their loved ones.
 
Intimate Partner Violence occurs in all relationships regardless of sexual orientation or gender and can affect anyone no matter your age, income, race, ethnicity, culture, religion, or disability. 

Research suggest that Veterans may be at higher risk of experiencing IPV than the civilian population.

 

Warning signs someone may be experiencing IPV  

• Unexplained or repeated injuries
• Delay in seeking medical care
• Injuries during pregnancy
• Multiple ER visits
• Suicide attempts
• Fearful or evasive behavior
• Lack of independence
• Etc. 

Questions to ask, "Has your partner": 

• Emotionally mistreated you (e.g. name calling, embarrass, or intimidate you)?
• Tried to control where you go, what you wear or do, who you can talk to?
• Controlled your money?
• Threatened you, your possessions, your pets, or loved ones?
• Physically hurt you or tried to?
• Forced you to engage in sexual activities?
• Threatened to kill themselves or you if you left? 

If you answer yes to any of the questions above or identify with any of the behaviors detailed above, VA can help. Some people experience only one of these forms of violence while others may experience more than one. IPV can be a single event or can last for many years. No matter what, no one deserves to be treated this way. Many people who have experienced IPV have a hard time talking about it. Experiencing IPV can bring up feelings of shame and low self-esteem. It can take a lot of time and courage to decide to seek help.

The personal impact of IPV include:

If someone feels safe now, but are concerned about the future, there are steps to take that can increase ones safety:

• Talk to any of VA providers about IPV or any safety concerns.
• Tell trusted friends and family about what is going on and come up with a safe place to go if needed.
• Create a safety plan. Providers can help. 

A SAFETY PLAN MAY INCLUDE:

• Safe places to go.
• Having a packed bag ready to go
• Saving money in a safe place.
• Phone numbers and addresses for
• family and friends.
• Shelters and crisis hotline numbers

 Click here for more info on building a safety plan 

How can friends and family help?

• Listen to and believe the IPV experience of your friend or family member.
• Explain that no one deserves to be abused or battered by their partner.
• Help them form a safety plan and understand they are the ones to decide to leave or stay.
• Share that you continue to be worried about the safety and you will support them when they are ready to seek help.
• Assist in looking up phone numbers, programs, and finding safe places to go. 

RESOURCE LIST

VA's Commitment to Addressing Intimate Partner Violence

The VA's Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program is committed to helping Veterans, their partners and also VA staff who are impacted by IPV. If you or someone you know could be experiencing and/or using IPV - Help is available. Contact your local IPVAP Coordinator for more information at (319) 338-0581 ext. 6916. You can also contact the National DV Hotline at (800) 799-7233 (SAFE), the Iowa Victim Service Call Center at (800) 770-1650 or text 'IOWAHELP' to 20121.

Links

• Informational Brochure - Female
• Informational Brochure - Male
• The National Domestic Violence Hotline:  (800) 799-7233
• The National Sexual Assault Hotline: (800) 656-4673
• Domestic Violence Shelters
• Futures Without Violence 
• National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence 
• Iowa Victim Services Call Center: (800) 770-1650
• IA Coalition Against Domestic Violence: (515) 244-8028
• IL Coalition Against Domestic Violence: (877) 863-6338
• MO Coalition Against Domestic Violence: (573) 634-4161 

Point of Contact

Julia Rose, MSW, LISW (she, her, hers)
Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program Coordinator
(319) 338-0581 ext. 6916

Iowa Victim Service Call Center

The Iowa Victim Call Center is a resource for all victims and survivros of crime, both Veterans and non-Veterans, in Iowa. Our 24/7 advocates are trained to listen to, support, and provide resources for all callers whenever a need arises. Call us about homicide, robbery, kidnapping, intimate partner violence, humna trafficking, sexual assualt, or any other violent crime.

• Call 1-800-770-1650
•  Text "IOWAHELP" to 20121

Survivor's Helpline Website

National Domestic Violence Hotline

For those using or experiencing violence.

• Text "LOVEIS" to 22522