Parents, grandparents, college students, sexual assault survivors, LGBTQ individuals, Christians, women’s health clinic workers and more gathered on the University of Iowa Pentacrest Friday, May 17, in support of abortion access. The demonstration, titled We Will NOT Go Back — Rally to Protect our Reproductive Rights, was organized by Liana McGowan Reimer and Nicholas Schnerre […]
Sexual Assault
The issue of accountability

From the election of Donald Trump to the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to a seat on the Supreme Court, I and other assault survivors have been deeply triggered and overwhelmed by recent and ongoing national rhetoric. Kavanaugh’s angry denial of all impropriety — except the occasional overuse of beer — was perhaps the most disheartening aspect of the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on the allegations against him, during which his accuser, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, recalling her assault decades ago, was dignified and credible.
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Ernst: Democrats who voted against Kavanaugh were ‘reprehensible’
Iowa lawmaker explains why she wants to make it harder for victims of domestic and sexual abuse to get protective orders

During a meeting with constituents on Saturday, Rep. Sandy Salmon claimed the two bills she introduced in the Iowa House of Representatives this month that would make it harder for victims of domestic and sexual abuse to get temporary protective orders were just attempts to “explore some options that curb abuses in the system.” […]
Iowa lawmaker wants to make it harder for domestic and sexual violence victims to get protective orders

Two bills recently introduced in the Iowa House of Representatives would make it harder for victims of domestic and sexual abuse to get temporary protective orders. Both bills, HF 2214 and HF 2246, were both introduced by Rep. Sandy Salmon, a Republican from Janesville. She is also currently the sole sponsor of both bills. […]
The Me Too domino effect in Iowa City, Cedar Rapids and beyond

“This fight is for all of us. It is not a fight for just survivors,” said Katryn Duarte, assistant director for sexual assault services at the Rape Victim Advocacy Program (RVAP). “If we really want to eliminate sexual violence, it is our responsibility to educate ourselves on what that means and how to stop it.” […]
Three programs for sexual and domestic violence survivors defunded

Three programs have been defunded among other cuts to services for individuals who have experienced sexual and domestic violence following the Iowa Legislature’s decision to decrease funding for victim services by 26 percent. Additional funding cuts at the federal level also contributed to the shortfall. […]
On sexual assault, the University of Iowa is failing its students
Wire: Congrats, ‘sentencing a rapist to volunteer at a rape crisis center,’ you are the dumbest idea yet
Community organizations working to change the way we talk about sexual assault in Iowa City
Guest opinion: Why I interrupted Sally Mason

By Chelsea Bacon In my backpack were several posters and two rings of duct tape: one black, one yellow. School Pride, you know? Outrage boiled over in the past few days, coming to a head over University of Iowa President Sally Mason’s ineffectual, inaccurate statements about rape. When asked by the Daily Iowan about the […]