RVAP

Happy Day 2 of ! Today, we are wearing teal to show our support for survivors across all eight counties we serve. It can be hard to get a group picture, so here is a snapshot of what a few of us are wearing. Are you wearing teal today for survivors? Tag us in your pictures!

We would like to hear your favorite affirmation. Drop some below in the comments.

Did you know that April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM)? This month, you'll see lots of information coming out about how to support survivors and those who serve them. While we have many hopes and dreams for what the work of SAAM can eventually do for our communities, this list captures a small handful of our hopes for SAAM 2024. Stay tuned for the amazing content we have coming for the month!

💚 Welcome to Day 1 of the Campaign! 💚

Hey Hawkeyes! Are you ready to join us in promoting healthy relationships on campus? The Campaign is all about empowering you to recognize and cultivate positive behaviors within your relationships, whether they’re with romantic, s*xual, friendships, coworkers, or family.

We’re kicking off the campaign with some exciting news: mark your calendars for our Conversation Heart-to-Heart tabling event happening on Thursday, February 15th, from 11am-2pm on the Pentacrest! Come enjoy goodies, music, and fun while learning about fostering healthy connections with others.

But that’s not all - stay tuned throughout the week as we dive deeper into the characteristics of healthy relationships and share tips for building fulfilling connections. Together, let’s create a campus community built on respect, understanding, and love 💕

Click the link in our bio to learn more and donate forget to follow for updates and exclusive content throughout the Campaign! 💬💚

Join to Trick or Treat for FREE safe s*x supplies, candy, and s*xual health information today — Friday, October 27th from 11am-2pm in Burge Residence Hall!

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A huge thank you to our friends at the for creating space for us to talk about the importance of consent, healthy relationships, and respect this month. Don't forget to pick up some resources and swag the next time you're there!

Did you know that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month? While you're at the library, be sure to check out the display on the library's second floor. You can also support by attending or volunteering to help with their 3rd annual Dia de los Mu***os event in Des Moines on October 14th.

Building safer communities where everyone feels supported, valued, and heard starts with us. Together, we can work to end s*xual, domestic, and dating violence.

If you’re out and about in Iowa City today, then please stop by the Ped Mall for Latino Fest Iowa City! We’re here all day alongside fantastic food, craft, and social service vendors. Plus great music and performances throughout the day. Stop by our table for some RVAP swag and color with us!

We are excited to have several staff participating in the National Sexual Assault Conference this week! We are connecting with leaders from throughout the movement to end s*xual violence, and are excited to bring these connections and learnings back to southeast Iowa.

We had a blast partnering with & this week! Sending heartfelt thanks to the amazing team at for creating #400 information packets for us! We distribute these packets to victims/survivors in emergency rooms and law enforcement offices throughout southeast Iowa. We cannot thank you enough for your generosity, care, and support!

It’s a beautiful day to celebrate humanity & raise awareness about s*xual violence in southeast Iowa.

Please stop by and see us at Iowa City Pride & at the Juneteenth Celebration in Burlington.

Civil rights are and always have been human rights.
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All of us are RVAP are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Associate Executive Director Mark Sertterh. We send warmth, light, and our deepest sympathy to the amazing team at , to Mark’s family and friends, and to all impacted by Mark’s passing. ❤️

‼️ the application deadline for our Certified Peer Educators has been extended to Wednesday, May 31 — we can’t wait for you to join our team!

Do you have an interest in creating a safer campus community? Do you want to build your skills in public speaking or group facilitation?

Join the Certified Peer Educators (CPE)! CPEs will facilitate bystander intervention training and other violence prevention workshops (e.g., healthy relationships, consent education, identity-based harm, and s*xual violence prevention) to promote awareness and take a stand to make a difference at the University of lowa. CPEs will be responsible for promoting a campus culture that educates and empowers Hawkeyes to become active bystanders and allies to end s*xual and relationship violence. Students must have evening and weekend availability.

Upon completing the required 20 hours of training and certification process, Certified Peer Educators (CPEs) are eligible to receive a $1000 stipend per academic year.

Applications are still open!! To learn more and apply, visit https://tinyurl.com/CPEAPPLY

If you’re out and about near West Burlington stop by the Women’s Empow-HER-ment Expo at The Homestead 1839! This is a great event with amazing vendors and all proceeds will benefit &
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Do you have an interest in creating a safer campus community?
Do you want to build your skills in public speaking or group facilitation?

Join the Certified Peer Educators (CPE)!

CPEs will facilitate bystander intervention training and other violence prevention workshops (e.g., healthy relationships, consent education, identity-based harm, and s*xual violence prevention) to promote awareness and take a stand to make a difference at the University of Iowa. CPEs will be responsible for promoting a campus culture that educates and empowers Hawkeyes to become active bystanders and allies to end s*xual and relationship violence. Students must have evening and weekend availability. Upon completing the required 20 hours of training and certification process, Certified Peer Educators (CPEs) are eligible to receive a $1000 stipend per academic year.

Applications are open NOW! To learn more and apply, visit https://tinyurl.com/CPEAPPLY

If you’re in or near Johnson County, then please join and Nisaa African Family Services THIS SATURDAY for food, music, and play.

Join us TONIGHT on the Pentacrest for a march, rally, & speak out to end s*xual violence! Time to take Action… Take Back The Night 💙🤍🖤

Day 24: “Get creative & spell it out.”

Signs of Spring are all around us. Signs of SAAM abound too! This afternoon we found signs of both at once!

Sexual violence happens in silence, so please join us as we work this month - and always - to raise awareness about the importance of preventing & responding to s*xual violence. This issue impacts us all AND it is our shared responsibility to create a world free of s*xual violence. Join us!

We extend our heartfelt THANKS to the UI Athletic Department, Spirit Squad, Cross Country, and Track teams for your help creating advocacy packets this meeting as part of the & Day of Caring!

These information packets will empower victims/survivors with much of the information they need following a s*xual assault. Thank you for supporting RVAP’s mission!

You belong.

You matter. You are deserving of love. You are seen. You are believed. You belong.

All of you. Always & in all ways.

Positivity Shoutout

We wanted to shoutout all the RVAP purrr-fect pets! These paw-fect pets remind us to take things one day at a time, especially when things get woof. What lifts you up?


*xualviolence

Shoutout to our JCSART] colleague and former intern, Ann Thompson for being awarded, “Civilian Employee of the Year” by Chief Liston & . Thank you for all you do in support of victims/survivors, Ann!
(Photo reposted from )

JCSART]

We are privileged to know and support victims/survivors along their healing journeys. Sometimes art is a modality used during that journey. At can be a way to express, emote, and move energy. This powerful artwork was created by some courageous youth we support, and they consented to us sharing it for SAAM.

The Clothesline Project is made up of t-shirts created by survivors of violence, or created in honor of someone who has experienced violence. It is a powerful witness of the violence many live with.

RVAP's collection spans over 500 shirts, with some shirts having been on display for over 25 years. This year RVAP is again hosting this display virtually here: https://youtu.be/tyYujcPl-Gs.

Please contact us if you would like to create a shirt to add to this powerful project.

Shine a Light on Local Support

We are the R**e Victim Advocacy Program (RVAP). We providing free, confidential, trauma-informed advocacy to people affected by s*xual violence and promoting social change through prevention education. Our service areas include Johnson, Cedar, Iowa, Des Moines, Henry, Lee, Washington, & Van Buren Counties. Our 24/7 hotline is always available!

What does activism look like?

Here are a few ways RVAP provides activism for s*xual violence clients: volunteers, support groups, counseling, and more! How do you provide activism?

Embrace yourself!

If you ever visit RVAP’s Iowa City office, you will likely notice many tiny animal friends throughout our space. These serve as reminders to us…and to you…that we are never alone, and that it is important to feed our inner child & play! During Sexual Assault Awareness Month and always!

Today is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month Day of Action.

Wear TEAL today to display your support for survivors! Post a selfie and tag us!

Survivors need and deserve support today and everyday!
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“I believe you.”
“It was not your fault.”
“You are not alone.”

In the wake of s*xual violence, friends and family want to help. Often though, it can be incredibly difficult to know what to say.

Remember, the most important messages are often those of empathy, validation, and empowerment. What happened was s*xual in nature, but it was about power and control.

Help the victim/survivor(s) in your life by letting them know you BELIEVE them.

Today, we shine light on the life-saving services provided by our colleagues at these Culturally Specific Programs here in Iowa. Each agency addresses the critical needs of victims of s*xual violence in a manner that affirms the victim’s culture and effectively addresses language and communication barriers.
•Amani Community Services
•Latinas Unidas Por Un Nuevo Amanacer (LUNA)
•Monsoon Asians & Pacific Islanders in Solidarity
•Nisaa African Family Services
•R.I.S.E. Meskwaki Victim Services
•Thrive Together

Please follow each agency’s social media pages so that you know about the amazing events they are leading this April, and about their critical services available all year round.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Join us as we spend this month raising awareness, sharing resources, and honoring those who are healing and reclaiming their lives.

RVAP provides free, confidential, and trauma-informed support to anyone impacted by s*xual violence, and we will not stop until the world is finally free of s*xual violence.