COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
& PUBLIC POLICY
WE BELIEVE
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
IS A PREVENTABLE PUBLIC HEALTH THREAT.
Intimate Partner Violence in Iowa remains a preventable yet persistent public health problem that has reached epidemic levels. In order to create sustainable change, we need to both educate on the experiences of our most vulnerable populations and advocate for policy and community transformations that lead to safer living in Iowa.
COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT
We believe it is the responsibility of every Iowan to understand intimate partner violence and how it affects the collective health of our communities. It is not a matter of ethnicity, status, or strength. Domestic violence occurs in homes of every type, among partners of every construct, and often silently torments individuals you come in contact with every single day.
WHAT CAN THE COMMUNITY DO?
Learn the facts about Domestic Violence.
Learn about and support racial justice and advocacy issues.
Join PROACTIVE, a men’s healthy relationship group.
Participate in events focused on the awareness/prevention of intimate partner violence.
ADVOCACY
WHAT IS ADVOCACY
AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
Advocacy is any action that speaks in favor of, recommends, argues for a cause, supports, defends, or pleads on behalf of others. There are multiple advocacy strategies for engaging and building relationships with policymakers, enlisting strategic allies, and mobilizing key stakeholders. Advocacy often involves educating policymakers, stakeholders (e.g. individuals, communities, and/or organizations), voters, the public, media, etc. on unmet needs and/or the impact of policy decisions.
Advocacy helps ensure decisions on public policies are made with the thorough understanding of how they will affect the people and communities they impact. Elected officials and other policymakers make important decisions that affects the quality of our lives and our communities, including how our tax dollars are spent, how systems and communities respond to violence, and how people’s basic needs are met.
It is important that Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence members are engaging with state legislators to help make important issues part of public policy discussions.
What can coalition members/supporters do to help our advocacy efforts?
If you are interested in helping the coalition with advocacy, we recommend downloading the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence Advocacy Toolkit. This toolkit provides valuable information on:
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What advocacy is
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Advocacy vs. lobbying
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About the Iowa legislature
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ICADV advocacy strategies
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Tips for meeting with legislators
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Resources like contacts for legislators, the governor, Iowa’s U.S. Congressional delegation, terminology and definitions