Free and confidential statewide call center, at 1-800-770-1650, available 24/7
Victims of domestic violence have another place to turn for help. A new statewide domestic violence hotline is now fielding calls 24-hours a day, 365-days a year, to assist Iowa victims of domestic abuse, announced Iowa Attorney General Thomas J. Miller on Friday.
The Iowa Domestic Violence Helpline (1-800-770-1650) is a free and confidential crisis and counseling line staffed with trained experts who can provide free and confidential assistance, including support and resource information. The call center also fields calls from Iowa’s local domestic violence assistance programs, which can forward their phone lines to the statewide call center when needed.
The call center, based in Sioux Center, is operated by the Family Crisis Centers of Northwest Iowa, a regional agency serving victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and survivors in 17 counties.
Family Crisis Centers is funded through a $420,000 contract from the attorney general’s Crime Victim Assistance Division.
“We’re really pleased that we could help fund and launch this call center, which will assist Iowa’s domestic violence victims and survivors across Iowa, any time of the day or night and any time of year,” Miller said. “It’s important for victims and survivors know that there’s free and confidential help available at any time, whether they’re in a crisis or whether they’re simply looking for someone to talk to about their situation.”
Domestic abuse victims can still contact local law enforcement or their local domestic violence program, but some local advocates may not be available around the clock. “This is a new and very welcome option for domestic abuse victims and survivors,” Janelle Melohn, Crime Victim Assistance Division, said. “This is an important partnership between our office and Family Crisis Centers that addresses a real need across the state.”
