About 1 in 4 women and nearly 1 in 10 men have experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and it has been proclaimed such in the City of Washington by Mayor Jaron Rosien, “Through the inspiration, courage, and persistence of victims of domestic violence, their children, and advocates our communities are learning to recognize the impact of violence in the home and within intimate relationships. And whereas the Domestic Violence Intervention Program has worked to end violence in intimate relationships for more than 40 years through the collaborative partnerships of advocates, volunteers, municipalities, criminal justice, health and human services, faith communities, business leaders,and private citizens. And whereas our community achievements should be commended and we must continue our commitment to respect and support victims of domestic violence and prevent future violence in our community.”

The Domestic Violence Intervention Program has been serving eastern Iowa for 40 years. It offers free and confidential services in Washington, Henry, Iowa, Johnson, Lee, Cedar, Des Moines, and Van Buren Counties. Advocate Xiomara Levsen says she’s already seeing an uptick in clients in Washington County this fiscal year. Services include emergency shelter, assistance through the medical and legal systems, and client outreach.