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Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller speaks during a news conference, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009, at the Statehouse in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
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Iowa AG argues against making crime victim cuts
By CHARLOTTE EBY, Courier Des Moines Bureau
DES MOINES — Advocates for crime victims are urging state lawmakers to find $4 million per year to prevent domestic violence shelters and programs from closing and to continue assistance to crime victims.
Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller argued that in difficult financial times, public safety and help for crime victims should remain a top priority.
“Our citizens are in incredible need when they go to those programs for services,” Miller said. “It’s among the most difficult, challenging, and frightening times of our citizens.”
Last year, the victim assistance programs helped nearly 27,000 victims across the state. More than 5,000 of those victims are children.
Beth Barnhill, director of the Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault, said essential programs have saved lives and provided hope and healing may close.
She said research has shown that victims of domestic abuse report that the two strategies that help make their situation better are contacting a domestic violence center and staying at a shelter for abuse victims.
“Women are at greater risk and less likely to seek help when they are forced to leave their communities, jobs and take their kids out of school in order to seek shelter, which may be several counties away from their community,” Barnhill said.
State Sen. Bob Dvorsky, a Coralville Democrat who serves as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said next year will be an incredibly tight budget year for the state.
“We need to find some solution, so I think we just need to look at it and try and come up with some answer on what we can do for that,” Dvorsky said.
Contact Charlotte Eby
at (515) 422-9061 or
chareby@aol.com.
Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller argued that in difficult financial times, public safety and help for crime victims should remain a top priority.
“Our citizens are in incredible need when they go to those programs for services,” Miller said. “It’s among the most difficult, challenging, and frightening times of our citizens.”
Last year, the victim assistance programs helped nearly 27,000 victims across the state. More than 5,000 of those victims are children.
Beth Barnhill, director of the Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault, said essential programs have saved lives and provided hope and healing may close.
She said research has shown that victims of domestic abuse report that the two strategies that help make their situation better are contacting a domestic violence center and staying at a shelter for abuse victims.
“Women are at greater risk and less likely to seek help when they are forced to leave their communities, jobs and take their kids out of school in order to seek shelter, which may be several counties away from their community,” Barnhill said.
State Sen. Bob Dvorsky, a Coralville Democrat who serves as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said next year will be an incredibly tight budget year for the state.
“We need to find some solution, so I think we just need to look at it and try and come up with some answer on what we can do for that,” Dvorsky said.
Contact Charlotte Eby
at (515) 422-9061 or
chareby@aol.com.
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