The Domestic & Sexual Abuse Resource Center

Domestic violence and sexual abuse affect people from all racial, social, and economic backgrounds.

Helping Services offers free and confidential services to those currently in, or leaving, an abusive relationship.

What is Domestic Abuse?

Domestic abuse is a pattern of behaviors intended to control a spouse, relative, or partner. Abuse can be ...

• Physical
• Sexual
• Verbal
• Emotional
• Economic

How Do You Know If You Are In An Abusive Relationship?

Has your partner ever...

• intimidated you with looks, actions, and/or gestures?
• withheld approval, appreciation, and/or affection as punishment?
• made you feel as if you were "walking on egg shells?"
• punched, kicked, slapped, choked, or shoved you?
• threatened your life?
• used a weapon to threaten or hurt you?
• demanded that you account for your time and whereabouts?
• forced sex and/or sexual acts on you against your will?

Domestic Abuse . . . Statistics

• In the United States, a woman is battered every nine seconds
• 40% of female homicide victims are killed by their partners
• About one half of the women in this country experience violence in a relationship
• Domestic abuse affects people from all racial, social, and economic backgrounds

Free and Confidential Services

Our crisis line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We are here to listen and help.

Safe Homes

We have several safe homes in our service area. They are available to house individuals or families who are no longer safe staying in their homes.

Adult Advocacy

We will serve as personal advocates and accompany victims to appointments with attorneys, doctors, law enforcement, and other professionals. We offer individual counseling and support groups for adults who have been victims of domestic abuse or sexual assault.

Child Advocacy

We offer individual counseling and support groups for children who have witnessed domestic abuse.

Education

We provide education about abusive relationships to students, church groups, civic groups, and professionals in the medical and legal communities.

What is sexual abuse?

Sexual abuse is more than just stranger rape. Sexual abuse includes date rape, acquaintance rape, marital rape, incest, and child molestation. Sexual abuse can alter the life of a victim forever.

Sexual Abuse . . . Statistics

• Almost 25% of our children will be sexually abused by age 18.
• It is never the victims fault if he or she is sexually abused.
• Children do not lie or make up stories about being sexually assaulted
• 79 American women are raped every hour
• Sexual abuse is the most intimate form of violence practiced in our society

Sexual Abuse Programs

We offer youth, from middle school to college a variety of programs about sexual assault and dating violence. Prevention information in our programming includes the following:

• Safe Dating
• Healthy Relationships
• Warning Signs of Unhealthy Relationships
• Bullying Prevention
• Media Influence on Adolescents

*Rape kit procedure training for medical personnel available.

Links:

• ICADVA - Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence Awareness
• ICASA - Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault
• National Domestic Violence Hotline
• Office on Violence Against Women
• Family Violence Prevention Fund
• Department of Human Services for Clayton, Fayette, Howard, and Winneshiek Counties
• V-Day is a global movement to stop violence against women and girls
• GovBenefits.gov helps citizens access government benefit eleigiblity information

The Domestic and Sexual Abuse Resource Center

Crisis Line

563.382.2989

Toll Free Crisis Line

800.383.2988

Business Line

563.382.1260

Office Locations

• Cresco (Howard County)
• Decorah (Winneshiek County)
• Postville (Allamakee County)
• West Union (Fayette County)