Explaining the Law and Providing Self-Help Information for Low-Income Iowans
There are 22 resources
Questions and Answers About Domestic Abuse
These common questions and answers about domestic abuse provide a summary of Iowa law.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
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Questions and Answers About Protective Orders An overview of different kinds of protective orders, who can get one, and other common concerns related to this subject.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
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Spanish / Español
Civil Domestic Abuse Actions
Sometimes a victim of domestic abuse does not want her abuser arrested, or does not want to file criminal charges against her abuser. She just wants her abuser to stay away from her. Sometimes criminal charges are filed against an abuser, but a victim needs additional help from the court. In these situations, a victim of domestic abuse assault can file her own “civil” domestic abuse action to get protection and relief from the court. A civil action is a lawsuit a person files in Court. It is not a criminal case.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
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Common Legal Terms
(Separate Website)
An online glossary of legal terms from A to W
By: Iowa Judicial Branch
Denying Housing to Survivors of Domestic Violence May Violate Fair Housing Laws
It is hard enough for anyone to find decent affordable housing. Finding housing may be even harder for women who are survivors of domestic violence. Why would this be?
By: Iowa Legal Aid
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Exceptions to Protective Order Prohibitions on Possessing Firearms
People subject to a civil protective order may be prohibited from getting a firearm or ammunition. While these steps may provide extra security to a victim who has a protective order, the law does allow some exceptions.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
How Do the Police Protect Victims of Domestic Abuse?
Often, police or other law enforcement officers respond to calls for help and have contact with domestic abuse victims in their homes. The Domestic Abuse Act requires these peace officers to protect victims of domestic abuse and enforce the law. The Domestic Abuse Act requires peace officers to do very specific things.
How Immigration Laws Impact Immigrant Victims of Domestic Violence
The Violence Against Women Act (“VAWA”) was passed. In 2000, Congress expanded VAWA’s and created two new kinds of visas for people who are neither immigrants nor citizens, and are victims of certain crimes of violence.
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Spanish / Español
How Is a Civil Domestic Abuse Action Started and What Happens at the Hearing?
A civil domestic abuse action is started by filing a petition with the Clerk of Court, asking for protection from domestic abuse. A victim can have an attorney file the petition for her. A domestic abuse victim can also file a petition herself, by using forms available from the Clerk of Court.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
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Spanish / Español
Immigration Remedies for Survivors of Domestic Violence
Immigrant survivors of domestic violence often face many barriers when trying to leave an abusive situation.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Internet Safety
(Separate Website)
There are hundreds of ways that computers record everything you do on the computer or Internet.
By: Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence
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Spanish / Español
Is There Any Program That May Help Pay For the Expenses That Result from Domestic Abuse?
A claim can be made under the Crime Victim Compensation program. This is a program which provides compensation (money) to victims of violent crimes.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Law Can Shield Abuse Victims
One way to reduce the number of tragic domestic abuse stories is to ensure that all who face abuse have unfettered access to our legal system in order to assure their rights and shield them from violence.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
New Project Provides Help to Domestic Violence Survivors
The U.S. Department of Justice awarded Iowa Legal Aid a grant through the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The money will fund the new Iowa Advocacy for Survivors Project at Iowa Legal Aid.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
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Bosnian / Bosanski
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New Requirements for Landlord Notices of Clear and Present Danger
In Iowa, a landlord can evict a tenant if the landlord feels the tenant is creating a situation which places others in danger. This article explains Iowa’s “clear and present danger” law.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Questions & Answers About Protective Orders
This resource explains the two kinds of protective orders. The first is a criminal no contact order, which is part of the criminal case for domestic abuse. The other kind of protective order is a civil protective order.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
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Spanish / Español
Sexual Assault and Civil Legal Remedies
Sexual assault can happen in many different ways. Rape is one form of sexual assault. There are many other forms that it may take. Here are questions and answers about civil legal remedies in this area of the law.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Should Criminal Charges Be Filed in Domestic Abuse Cases?
Sometimes criminal charges are filed against an abuser by the police, under the mandatory arrest requirements of the Domestic Abuse Act. Other times, a victim must decide whether to contact law enforcement and file charges against her abuser. Some victims may be afraid to file criminal charges because they are afraid they will be hurt even more by the abuser. Victims of domestic abuse must decide what is safest for them in their own situations.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Teens Rights in Your Dating Relationship
You have many rights in your relationship with your girlfriend or boyfriend, including the right to say no to sex or anything you don’t want to do. You have the right not to be abused.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Teens: The Healthy Relationship Quiz
Take the "Healthy Relationship Quiz" to find out if your relationship is as healthy as you deserve.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
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Spanish / Español
The Criminal Process in Domestic Abuse Cases and Related Crimes
Any victim of a crime can file criminal charges against her assailant by contacting the police and making a report. A victim of domestic abuse has that same right. If the crime is domestic abuse assault, the Domestic Abuse Act requires certain things to happen in a criminal proceeding. This resource describes what happens when an abuser is charged with domestic abuse assault.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
What Is Domestic Abuse?
Iowa’s Domestic Abuse Act defines domestic abuse in a specific way. This definition of domestic abuse must be met in order for the protections of the Domestic Abuse Act to apply.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
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The Iowa Legal Aid Website is a project of Iowa Legal Aid, the Volunteer Lawyer Projects of the Iowa State Bar and Polk County Bar Associations, and HELP Legal Assistance
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