Serving Campus and the Community
319-335-6000 or 800-228-1625
An advocate will:
- Believe you
- Support you
- Assist you
- Respect you and your choices
- Not judge (you, your actions, your decisions)
Services
- 24-Hour Crisis Line
- Legal advocacy
- Medical advocacy
- Police advocacy
- Systems advocacy
- Individual counseling
- Educational programs
- Support groups
- Lending Library
- Iowa Sexual Abuse Hotline
All services are free and all communication between you and RVAP staff will be held in confidence and will not, except under certain circumstances be disclosed to anyone unless you give written authorization to release the information (Iowa Code §915.20A).
Advocacy Services:
Iowa law gives you the right to have an advocate/victim counselor throughout any medical, police and/or legal proceedings regarding the assault (Iowa Code §915.20).
Advocates can assist you by:
- providing information about the trauma of rape.
- explaining your options.
- accompanying and supporting you during a sexual assault examination.
- accompanying and supporting you during police interviews.
- accompanying and supporting you during court proceedings.
- accompanying and supporting you during University of Iowa proceedings.
- helping you with accomodations regarding school and/or work.
- providing you with referrals to other resources.
- helping you with follow-up counseling and support.
- assisting family members, friends and significant others.
Counseling:
- The role of the counselor is to listen, clarify, support, and share information about the healing process.
- Counseling is available for victim/survivors who have been victimized either as adults or as children.
- RVAP counselors can also talk with friends, partners, and family members of victim/survivors.
- Counseling from a certified sexual assault counselor is not a replacement for therapy.
- Counselors can provide help finding local resources and referrals.
Support Groups:
Support groups focus on a specific population, with discussion topics tailored to unique shared experience. Groups may be offered for:
- women who were raped as teenagers or adults
- women who were sexually abused as children
- men who were sexually abused
Educational Programs
Educational programming is offered on the following topics:
- rape myths and facts
- date rape drugs
- victim impact
- stalking
- support for victims
- risk reduction techniques
- power and control
- self esteem
- dynamics of sexual abuse
- consent
- healthy relationships
- building trust
- boundaries
- safe dating
- gender stereotypes
- domestic violence
- offender characteristics
- bystander intervention
RVAP can also tailor individual programs to your group’s needs.
For more detailed information, visit rvap.org.
The Rape Victim Advocacy Program is located at 320 S. Linn Street (320 LSB), Iowa City, IA 52240
Office Hours: Monday through Friday from 9:00am-5:00pm
Business Phone: 319-335-6001
