Mission Statement

The Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence seeks to engage all people in a movement to change the social and political systems that perpetuate violence against women. We do this through education, advocacy and quality victim services.*

*It is the policy of the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence to provide equal opportunity to all persons, to prohibit discrimination because of age, sexual orientation, color, disability, political affiliation, marital status, place of residence, race, national origin, religion, sex or status with policies, programs, practices, and operations. This policy shall apply to the use of all facilities and to participation in all Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence sponsored programs, services, and activities.

Vision Statement

The future is simple:

Every woman will be safe in her own home.

No woman will fear the one she loves.

Women and their children will be treated with dignity and respect.

Communities will support healthy relationships and healthy sexuality.

Guiding Principles

Feminism (the demand for social justice and equality between genders) informs our analysis, policies, and practice.

ICADV finds strength in the diversity of our voices and nurtures the participation and leadership of women from all walks of life, particularly battered and formerly battered women, women of color, and other s who have been disenfranchised.

Women’s life-generated risks can be as damaging and formidable as the risks generated by batterers. While we must meet the immediate safety needs of battered women and their children, those needs will not truly be met without cultural change to ensure social and economic justice for women.

ICADV encourages non-traditional and creative responses to the issues of domestic abuse and the engagement of allies throughout our communities in this work.

Excellence is our standard. Local and national leadership is our goal. We hold ourselves accountable to providing the kind of services and advocacy we would expect for our own daughters.