Sexual Assault Advocacy Services

Counties Covered with CIS Sexual Assault Services

Appanoose, Davis, Jasper, Jefferson, Keokuk, Mahaska, Marion, Monroe, Lucas, Poweshiek, Wapello and Wayne Counties

What do we do?

Sexual violence victim advocates provide compassionate, confidential support to survivors of sexual assault and abuse. They help survivors understand their rights and options, assist with safety planning, and offer emotional support throughout the healing process. Advocates often accompany survivors to medical exams, law enforcement interviews, or court proceedings, ensuring they are not alone during difficult moments. They also connect survivors with resources such as counseling, legal assistance, housing, and crisis services. At the core of their work, advocates empower survivors to make informed decisions and regain a sense of control and dignity after experiencing trauma. Because we’re mobile, we can travel to meet with you. If you’re unable to get to our office, we’ll come to you.

What do we mean by “services”?

CIS Sexual Violence Advocates support survivors navigate their recovery and the systems they may encounter. Victim advocates provide emotional support, crisis intervention, safety planning, and referrals to resources like counseling, legal aid, and healthcare. We also help survivors of sexual violence understand and access the legal systems; explaining their rights, attending court hearings with them, and assisting with things like protection orders or victim compensation. Advocates are on call 24/7/365 to respond to medical exams and law enforcement centers.

Sexual Abuse Protective Orders (SAPOs) in Iowa

A Sexual Abuse Protective Order (SAPO) is a type of legal protection available in Iowa for individuals who have experienced sexual abuse. This court order is designed to protect victims by preventing the offender from having any form of contact with them.

SAPOs can be issued as part of a civil legal process, separate from any criminal charges, and are available regardless of whether the offender has been arrested or charged.

What Is a SAPO?

A Sexual Abuse Protective Order (SAPO) is a civil protective order that prohibits someone who has committed sexual abuse from contacting or approaching the victim. This order is available through the Iowa courts and offers legal protection for individuals who have been subjected to unwanted sexual conduct.

You do not need to be in a domestic relationship with the offender to request a SAPO.

Who Can Request a SAPO?

You can file for a SAPO if you are a victim of sexual abuse under Iowa law, which may include:

• Rape or attempted rape
• Sexual assault
• Sexual abuse of a minor
• Incapacitated or unconscious victim cases
• Other unwanted sexual acts involving force, coercion, or lack of consent

Victims of any age can seek a SAPO. If the victim is a minor, a parent or legal guardian can file on their behalf.

What Protections Does a SAPO Provide?

A SAPO can order the abuser to:

• Have no contact with the victim—directly or indirectly
• Stay away from the victim’s home, work, school, or other important locations
• Not harass, stalk, intimidate, or threaten the victim in any way
• Avoid all electronic communication, including text, email, phone, and social media

The court can also include additional protections depending on the circumstances.

How Do I File for a SAPO?

To request a SAPO in Iowa, you will need to:

1. Complete a petition and file it at any courthouse (available through the Clerk of Court, an Advocate, or using a link below).
2. Explain the incident(s) of sexual abuse in your petition.
3. Attend a hearing, where the judge will determine whether to issue the protective order.

In some cases, the court may issue a temporary protective order immediately before a full hearing is held.

How Long Does a SAPO Last?

• A temporary SAPO may be granted right away and remain in effect until the court hearing.
• A final SAPO can last up to one year and can be renewed or extended if necessary.
• In serious or repeat cases, longer-term protections may be available.

What Happens If the Order Is Violated?

Violating a SAPO is a criminal offense in Iowa. If either party (petitioner or respondent) breaks any part of the order, they can be:

• Arrested immediately
• Charged with a crime, such as violation of a protective order
• Jailed or fined

It’s important to remember that only the court can change or end a SAPO. Even if the victim agrees to contact, the order remains legally enforceable until a judge modifies it. The victim (or petitioner in this circumstance) can also be held responsible for violating the protective order.

Click HERE to locate Iowa-specific court forms, or see below for direct links to fillable PDF documents.

Guide: Protecting Yourself from Sexual Abuse

• Petition for Relief from Sexual Abuse: Form 11 – Rule 17.30
• Petition for Relief from Sexual Abuse on Behalf of a Minor Child: Form 12 – Rule 17.30
  • Information Sheet for Protective Order Registry & Service of Protective Orders; Form 15 – Rule 17.30

Protected Information Disclosure: Form 14 – Rule 17.30

Protected information includes the following:

1. Social security numbers.
2. Financial account numbers.
3. Dates of birth.
4. Names of minor children.
5. Individual taxpayer identification numbers.
6. Personal identification numbers.
7. Other unique identifying numbers.
8. Court files, documents, or information excluded from public access by federal or state law or administrative rule, court rule, court order, or case law.

When protected information is required by law to be included or is material to the proceedings, a petitioner may record the protected information on a separate protected information form. The petitioner must ensure that the protected information is redacted from any other document before filing the document with the court. The name of a minor child may be case information that is an essential or material part of the court record.

Modification or Dropping a Protective Order

A Sexual Abuse Protective Order (SAPO) can only be modified or dropped by a judge. Neither the victim nor the respondent (the person the order is against) can change or cancel the order on their own. If either party wants to request a change—such as adjusting the terms of the order, allowing limited contact, or ending the order entirely—they must file a formal motion with the court. A hearing will typically be scheduled, and the judge will consider factors such as the victim’s safety, the nature of the original abuse, and whether continued protection is necessary. It’s important to understand that until the court officially modifies or terminates the SAPO, all terms of the order remain legally enforceable. The Iowa form to request this is linked below.

Request to Modify, Cancel, or Extend a Sexual Abuse Final Protective Order: Form 17 – Rule 17.30

The Right to a Victim Advocate

• You have the right to request the presence of a victim advocate, as defined in Iowa Code section 915.20A, at any proceeding related to the assault, including medical examination.
• A crime victim, law enforcement officer, prosecutor, or medical provider can locate a victim counselor or advocate by contacting a local victim service program, the county attorney’s office, or the Attorney General’s Victim Assistance Section.

The Right to Crime Victim Compensation

• The Attorney General’s Crime Victim Compensation Program pays certain out-of-pocket expenses an eligible victim has as a result of injury or death from crime.
• Funds for this program come entirely from fines and penalties paid by offenders.
• For information, or to file an application, call the Crime Victim Compensation Program toll-free at (800) 373-5044 or, in the Des Moines area, at 281-5044.
• Online Crime Victim Compensation Application can be completed HERE

The Right to Notification

• Crime victims have the right to register in writing with the county attorney’s office for written notification about the status of the criminal case.
• Law enforcement is required to tell a crime victim of the right to register with the county attorney’s office and provide the victim with a “request for registration” form.
• A crime victim must complete and submit the “request for registration form” to the county attorney who is prosecuting the case in order to receive criminal justice system statutory notification.
• The county attorney will forward copies of “request for registration” form to other justice system agencies including the sheriff, clerk of court, Attorney General’s Criminal Appeals Division, Department of Corrections, and the Board of Parole.
• Justice system agencies will provide written notification to a registered crime victim regarding the status of the criminal case and a convicted offender.

The Right to Automated Notification

• All crime victims and the public may register with IowaVINE for automated notification about an offender incarcerated in a county jail or the Iowa Department of Corrections. IowaVINE will send notifications by text, email, or telephone and has live operators 24/7/365.
• IowaVINE is a program of the Attorney General’s Victim Assistance Section.

The Right to Restitution

• At sentencing, a judge may order the convicted offender to pay the crime victim restitution for crime-related expenses.
• The crime victim submits a record of their out-of-pocket expenses related to the crime to the county attorney who will submit the information to the judge. The judge may order restitution paid to the crime victim.

The Right to Make a Victim Impact Statement

• A crime victim has the right to submit a Victim Impact Statement (VIS) to the judge for consideration at sentencing.
• The VIS is a victim’s opportunity to tell the judge and the offender about the physical, emotional, spiritual, and financial effects of the crime on them and their family.
• A crime victim may seek assistance from a victim counselor or advocate in preparing the VIS. The Advocate can also read the Victim Impact Statement on behalf of the victim, if the victim requests so.
• The offender must be present for the VIS.
• The VIS may be stated orally or in writing.
• When presenting the VIS, a crime victim or their representative cannot be questioned by the offender or the defense attorney.