1. Victim and Witness Rights
- Iowa Attorney General – Crime Victim Assistance Division
Offers financial assistance, advocate referrals, and legal guidance for crime victims statewide. - Iowa Crime Victim Rights
Summarizes the legal rights of crime victims and witnesses during investigations and prosecutions.
2. Free and Low-Cost Legal Aid Programs
- Iowa Legal Aid
Provides free legal representation and self-help tools for victims of harassment, stalking, and domestic abuse. - Iowa Find-A-Lawyer (Iowa State Bar)
Offers affordable consultations and referrals to local attorneys including for protective orders and defamation claims.
3. Relevant Laws
- Stalking: Iowa Code § 708.11
What it means: Repeated behavior that causes another person to fear bodily injury or death. Includes surveillance, threats, or digital tracking. - Harassment: Iowa Code § 708.7
What it means: Harassment includes threatening, annoying, or alarming another person through repeated contact—including calls, messages, or social media. - Bullying: No adult criminal statute. Governed under Iowa Code § 280.28 (Education Code)
What it means: Public schools must have anti-bullying and harassment policies. Includes cyberbullying and intimidation. Schools must investigate and take corrective action. - Defamation: Civil tort, not criminal. Guided by Iowa common law and court precedent.
What it means: Defamation may include libel or slander if false statements cause harm to a person’s reputation. No criminal defamation statute exists in Iowa.
4. Reporting and Hotlines
- Call 911 in any emergency or when immediate danger is present.
- Non-emergency incidents may be reported to local law enforcement or school officials.
- Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV)
Connects victims with housing, legal aid, and trauma services statewide. - Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-770-1189
Offers 24/7 confidential support, referrals, and advocacy services.
5. Support Organizations
- Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Provides legal advocacy, emergency support, and survivor-centered programs across Iowa. - Riverview Center
Offers counseling, legal advocacy, and outreach services for survivors of abuse and harassment in eastern Iowa and western Illinois.
6. Civil Remedies and Protection Orders
Iowa residents can request a Civil Protective Order (CPO) for domestic abuse, sexual abuse, or stalking. Courts may prohibit all forms of contact, including online messaging or indirect communication. Legal aid organizations offer support through the filing process.
Important Note on Jurisdiction: If the individual you are seeking a restraining order against lives in a different state, your local court may not have jurisdiction to enforce that order. In most cases, you must file for protection in the state where that individual resides or where the conduct occurred. This applies even in situations involving online harassment, defamation, or stalking. Contact legal aid services in both your state and the other person’s state for guidance.
7. Youth and School Resources
- Iowa Department of Education – Bullying and Harassment Prevention
Provides school policy guidance, complaint processes, and anti-bullying training resources for educators and families.
8. Court Forms and Filing Help
- Iowa Courts – Protection Order Forms
Offers downloadable forms and instructions for protective orders, harassment injunctions, and civil restraining orders.
9. Online Safety and Privacy Tools
- NNEDV Tech Safety Toolkit
Offers digital self-protection resources for those facing online harassment, surveillance, or cyber abuse.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
