Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP)

The Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP) began providing services to several counties in Iowa in 1978 and continues to do so today. The goal of DVIP is to provide complete services to adults and children affected by domestic violence.

DVIP provides various services to their clients, including a 24-hour hotline and a 24-hour safe shelter. Through these two services, DVIP provides resources and information while victims explore the impact of their experience and consider alternatives that can ensure their safety and well-being. While in the shelter, residents share in household chores, cook their own meals, and maintain their own living quarters. In addition, residents attend two house meetings per week where they discuss issues related to domestic violence and conflict resolution.

Two types of support groups are also available to clients, Support and Life Issues. Support groups focus on empowering the individual and provide a setting for victims to discuss the impact that domestic violence has had on their lives. During the Life Issues groups, victims discuss the barriers that they face, both individually and in the community, in reaching their personal goals. DVIP staff also provides Criminal Justice Advocacy, Economic Advocacy, and General Advocacy for their clients.

The mission of the Domestic Violence Intervention Program is to end domestic violence through support, advocacy, shelter and education.

In 2009, volunteers provided over 3,000 hours of service to help the Domestic Violence Intervention Program. With their volunteers and paid staff, the program was able to provide 6,197 services to 1,870 clients in 2009. Some of these services included providing shelter to 342 adult and youth clients and counseling to 761 clients.