Injury Prevention
Injuries are a leading cause of death in Iowa. Unintentional injury is the leading cause of death for Iowans ages 1-44 and it is the 4th leading cause of death for all Iowans. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS) strives to address the burden of injury on the public health by disseminating information about injury deaths and hospitalizations and promoting programs directed at preventing both intentional and unintentional injuries.
- University of Iowa Injury Prevention Research Center
- UI IPRC Blog that covers various injury topics
- Iowa Health Fact Book (Iowa HHS and the University of Iowa) - can search for injury data
- National Injury Prevention Day Resources from the Injury Free Coalition for Kids
- Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention & Control
- Prevent Child Injury Toolkit
- Iowa HHS Data Portal - Falls Data
- Iowa Falls Prevention Coalition
- National Safety Council
- University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics - Injury Prevention for Falls
- National Council on Aging
- General webpage on falls prevention for older adults
- Falls Prevention Awareness Week promotion toolkit for older adults
- CDC Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries (STEADI) Program
- University of Iowa: Infographics for motor vehicle safety
- Zero Fatalities Iowa
- Safe Kids Worldwide - Car and Road Safety for Kids
- Iowa Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau - Drive Smart Iowa
- Iowa Department of Transportation
- Iowa Crash Analysis Tool
- Office of Driver & Identification Services, Motor Vehicle Statistic and Research Studies
- Open Data Portal
- Iowa State Patrol Crash Reports
- Iowa State University Institute for Transportation
In 2008, Iowa HHS and the University of Iowa Injury Prevention Research Center (IPRC) partnered to produce the first comprehensive report on injury in Iowa. This report, The Burden of Injury in Iowa (2002-2006), is intended to provide information on the burden of injury in Iowa to assist communities, health practitioners, and state and local policymakers in developing strategies and policies to reduce injuries in the state. A full report and executive summary are available by clicking on the links below. For data specific to an individual county, follow the link to the IPRC webpage.
- County-specific reports: Injury Prevention Research Center
During 2006-2007, standards for injury prevention activities within public health were developed for state and local partners. The comprehensive report is also intended to assist county public health partners in their efforts to assess and meet these standards.
University of Iowa
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
- National Center for Injury Prevention & Control
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
- Prevention in Practice https://vetoviolence.cdc.gov/apps/violence-prevention-practice/#!/
- Connecting the Dots https://vetoviolence.cdc.gov/apps/connecting-the-dots/content/home
- Preventing IPV Across the Lifespan https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/ipv-technicalpackages.pdf
- Preventing ACEs https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/preventingACES.pdf
I&VP Sexual Violence Prevention
SAFETY ALERT: If you are in danger please call 911 or the 24-hour statewide Iowa Victim Service Call Center at 1-800-770-1650
The sexual violence prevention program of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services uses public health strategies to prevent sexual violence in Iowa.
Sexual violence refers to sexual behavior that occurs between people where consent is not obtained or freely given. Not all sexual violence includes physical contact between the individuals; it also may occur in the form of sexual harassment, threats, taking nude photos or sending them via email or text messages. Unwanted sexual touch may range from groping or fondling to rape.
The program collaborates with community prevention partners to:
- gather data on the incidence of sexual violence in Iowa,
- develop strategies for preventing first-time victimization and perpetration of sexual violence,
- administer federal and state sexual violence prevention funds, and
- support the work of state and local agencies and organizations in their efforts to end sexual violence.
The program is funded by the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Sexual violence is a serious and costly public health problem in Iowa. In addition to its emotional toll, it causes substantial financial damage to the victims, their families, and society as whole. Injuries from sexual violence result in large expenditures by our systems of health care, law enforcement, criminal justice, and welfare. More important, acts of sexual violence lead to even greater costs that arise from lost productivity and the inability of victims and families to continue with activities of daily life.
To more clearly describe the societal burden of this problem, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS) and the University of Iowa Injury Prevention Research Center (IPRC) allocated funds to conduct a cost analysis. The report enumerates the incidents of sexual violence in Iowa, the direct and indirect costs associated with it, and the costs to society of responding to it. Data used is from 2009 and 2010.
Violence Against Women
SAFETY ALERT: If you are in danger please call 911 or the 24-hour Iowa Victim Service Call Center at 1-800-770-1650 or text "iowahelp" to 201211-800-770-1650
The Public Health Approaches to Violence Against Women Program offers resources for health care providers to improve their responses to victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual assault.
The term "Intimate Partner Violence" (often called Domestic Violence) describes physical violence, sexual violence, stalking or psychological violence (including coercion) by a current or former intimate partner. The violence occurs on a continuum ranging from a single incident to long-term and ongoing episodes of violence. While IPV is difficult to accurately measure, national surveys indicate that one in three women have experienced some form of intimate partner violence by a current or former partner at some point in their lives. While relatively few women report the abuse to law enforcement authorities, many are seen by health care providers, who have the opportunity to identify the abuse, provide education, and intervene before the abuse becomes fatal. In Iowa all hospitals are required to have a protocol in place for the identifying and intervening with patients who experience domestic violence (Iowa Administrative Code [481] 51.7(3).
A sexual assault is a sexual act that is forced or coerced. A person of any age, gender, race/ethnicity, or economic status can be sexually assaulted. It is estimated that 1 in 3 women in Iowa have experienced contact sexual violence (including rape, sexual coercion, and/or unwanted sexual contact) in their lifetime. These estimates come from The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey 2010-2012 State Report.
The program collaborates to improve system response to survivors of intimate partner and sexual violence by:
- offering training and technical assistance to health care providers, and other professionals, on the impact of intimate partner and sexual violence on health;
- developing protocols for health care providers and organizations on identifying and intervening with victims of domestic violence and sexual assault;
- participating in numerous coalitions, work groups, and coordinated community response teams focused on intimate partner violence/sexual violence and intersecting risk and protective factors;
- assisting with activities during Sexual Assault Awareness Month which is held during every April, and Domestic Violence Awareness Month held in October
If you are interested in your agency or program receiving training on the impact of intimate partner violence/sexual violence on the health of the populations you serve, contact: Monica Goedken, MPA monica.goedken@idph.iowa.gov
- Help create safer, healthier relationships and communities now and for everyone in the future.
- 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men have experienced contact sexual violence*, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner with a negative impact (e.g., injury, fear, concern for safety, or needing services).
- Among high school students who dated in the past year, 20% of females and 10% of males reported either physical violence, sexual violence, or both from a dating partner.
- Preventing Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a priority for CDC.
- Prevention is possible. You can help make it happen by changing the contexts and underlying risks that contribute to IPV in homes, schools, and neighborhoods.
- CDC’s technical package helps states and communities use the best-available evidence to prevent IPV.
- Teach safe and healthy relationship skills
- Engage influential adults and peers
- Disrupt developmental pathways toward partner violence
- Create protective environments
- Strengthen economic supports for families
- Support survivors to increase safety and lessen harms
It is important to monitor and evaluate your efforts while the field of violence prevention continues to evolve. Be part of the solution.
Your prevention efforts can involve developing new partnerships & working across sectors. Including: Public Health, Government, Education, Social Services, Health Services, Business, Labor, Justice, Housing, Community Organizations, Media, and Domestic Violence Coalitions. Use CDC’s IPV prevention technical package to begin or expand your efforts.
- www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/
- vetoviolence.cdc.gov
- Prevention in Practice
- Connecting the Dots
- Preventing IPV Across the Lifespan
- Preventing ACEs
* Contact sexual violence includes rape, being made to penetrate, sexual coercion, and/or unwanted sexual contact.
- Iowa Criminal Code 236 DOMESTIC ABUSE
- Iowa Criminal Code 709 SEXUAL ABUSE
- IAC 6/16/21 Inspections and Appeals[481] Ch 51 Administrative Rules for Facilities
This project was supported by Subgrant No. VP-20-93-MSA awarded by the state administering office for the STOP Formula Grant Program. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.
Violence Against Women Health Care Provider Resources
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Education Guidelines, Adult & Pediatric (updated 2018)
Intimate Partner Violence Nurse Examiner Education Guidelines (Updated 2020)
Forensic Nurse Death Investigator Guidelines (Developed 2009; Published 2013)
Core Competencies for Advanced Practice Forensic Nursing (2004)
National Health Resource Center on Domestic Violence
Compendium of State & US Territory Statues & Policies
Ten Steps to Create a Comprehensive D/SV Health care Response
FUTURES Without Violence Setting and Community Specific Resources
Health Cares About Domestic Violence Day
FUTURES Without Violence Safety Cards
HIV Testing, Treatment and Care
Health, healing and relationships: You are not alone Safety Card
A Scan of the Field: Learning About Serving Survivors of Human Trafficking (National latin@ network-casa de esperanza)
Human Trafficking: The Role of the Healthcare Provider (Webinar)
Physicians Against the Trafficking of Humans
Recognizing and Responding to Human Trafficking in a Healthcare Context (Webinar)
Introduction to Labor and Sex Trafficking: A Health Care & Human Rights Challenge (Webinar)
Office on Trafficking in Persons SOAR to Health and Wellness Training
Is Your Relationship Affecting Your Health? General Health Safety Card
Relationships, Support and Wellness Mental Health Safety Card
Practitioner Reference Card for Domestic Violence
A Healthcare Guide for Survivors of Domestic and Sexual Violence Survivor Brochure
To order Iowa sexual assault examination kits, contact the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation at (515) 725-1500
Short fact sheet of major updates (April 2013)
Long fact sheet of major updates (April 2013)
SAFE Protocol: Trans-specific annotation
National Training Standards for Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examiners (2nd Edition)- August 2018
National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) SART Tool Kit
Trauma-Informed Care Implementation Resource Center (Center for Health Care Strategies, Inc.)
Key Ingredients for Successful Trauma-Informed Care Implementation
Building Cultures of Care: A Guide for Sexual Assault Services Programs
Addressing Sexual and Relationship Violence: A Trauma-Informed Approach
Running on Empty: Compassion Fatigue in Health Professionals
Transforming Compassion Fatigue into Compassion Satisfaction: Top 12 Self-Care Tips for Helpers
Violence Against Women Related Websites
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Association of Forensic Nurses
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FUTURES Without Violence
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Health Cares About IPV
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IPV Health Partners
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Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence
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Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault
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Iowa Coalition for Collective Change
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Iowa Victim Service Call Center
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National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
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National Sexual Violence Resource Center
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SAMHSA-HRSA Center for Integrated Health Solutions
Child Protection Centers
Children's advocacy/protection centers (CAC/CPC) provide a comfortable, private, child-friendly setting that is both physically and psychologically safe for diverse populations of children and their families who are victims of suspected abuse and neglect. The centers offer a new way of serving abused children through a comprehensive approach to services. A team of specialists at the center's work together in the investigation, treatment, and prosecution of child abuse cases. The goal of the child advocacy/protection centers is to ensure that children are not re-victimized by the very system designed to protect them.
Since 2004 Iowa legislators have appropriated state funds for the purpose of establishing new or support existing CPC's that meet, or are in the process of implementing, standards established by the National Children's Alliance (NCA). NCA is a nationwide not-for-profit membership organization whose mission is to promote and support communities in providing a coordinated investigation and comprehensive response to victims of severe child abuse.
Through an application process and legislation, five Child Protection Centers in Iowa have been awarded grants to assist in supporting existing services within the centers. The five centers awarded grants are as follows:
- Mercy Child Advocacy Center located in Sioux City, serving Region 1
- Allen Child Protection Center, located in Waterloo, serving Region 2
- Child Protection Response Center, located in Davenport, serving Region 3
- St Luke's Child Protection Center located in Cedar Rapids, serving Region 4
- Blank Children's Hospital Regional Child Protection Center located in Des Moines, serving Region 5
For more information:
Contact Monica Goedken, MPA - Violence Prevention Coordinator - Bureau of Family Health - Division of Health Promotion & Chronic Disease Prevention at monica.goedken@idph.iowa.gov or 515-201-3265
- To report Abuse visit this webpage or call the Abuse Hotline 24 hours a day/7 days a week: 1-800-362-2178
What is a Child Protection Center?
A child friendly environment tied together by community agencies and professionals that work together to reduce the trauma victims experience and enhance the ability to respond to child maltreatment. The heart of a CPC is the multi-disciplinary team that is made up of seven disciplines that lead the investigation through a coordinated community response.
Who do Child Protection Centers serve?
Child Protection centers serve children and families throughout Iowa ensuring all children receive access to high quality services.
What services are offered?
- Medical Evaluation and Treatment
- Forensic Interviews
- Counseling and/or Referrals
- Case Review and Case Tracking
- Prevention and Community Education
- Advocacy Services
How are children referred for services?
Referrals for evaluations come from law enforcement agencies, child protection agencies and prosecutors. Child Protection Centers will not accept direct referrals from parents. Concerns of abuse and neglect should be reported to law enforcement and /or child protection in your community.
Is there any cost to families for services?
There is never a cost to families associated with services they receive at a Child Protection Center.
What are the benefits of a CPC?
For victims and their families, the benefits include: consistent and prompt follow-up to abuse reports, consistent and compassionate support for the child and family, referrals to professionals with expertise in specialized fields, dramatically fewer victim interviews and increased successful prosecution. Based on research conducted by the National Children's Alliance, the CPC approach is 36% less expensive and more highly valued by community residents.
Iowa Law Pertaining to Child Protection Centers
Iowa Child Protection Centers
- Mercy Child Advocacy Center, located in Sioux City, serving Region 1
- Allen Child Protection Center, located in Waterloo, serving Region 2
- Child Protection Response Center, located in Davenport, serving Region 3
- St Luke's Child Protection Center, located in Cedar Rapids, serving Region 4
- Blank Children's STAR Center, located in Des Moines, serving Region 5
Prevent Child Abuse
- PCA America - Since 1972, Prevent Child Abuse America has led the way in building awareness, providing education and inspiring hope to everyone involved in the effort to prevent the abuse and neglect of our nation's children. Working with our chapters, we provide leadership to promote and implement prevention efforts at both the national and local levels. With the help of our state chapters and concerned individuals like you we're valuing children, strengthening families and engaging communities nationwide.
- PCA Iowa - Founded in 1975, Prevent Child Abuse Iowa's fundamental --- and critically important - mission is to end child abuse in the entire state of Iowa. Its single-minded focus on prevention is unique in the child abuse field, where most efforts involve counseling and treating children and families after abuse has already occurred.
Other Resources
- Iowa Chapter of Children's Advocacy Centers
- National Children's Alliance
- Midwest Regional Child Advocacy Center
- Parents for Prevention a project of the Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault
- Essentials for Childhood: Creating Safe, Stable, Nurturing Relationships and Environments for All Children
- Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) - Center for Disease Control and Prevention
- Changing Minds: The Campaign to End Childhood Trauma - Futures Without Violence
- Preventing Child Abuse & Neglect - Center for Disease Control and Prevention
- Everyday Magic: 16 Ways Adults Can Support Children Exposed to Violence and Trauma - Futures Without Violence