October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and advocates in Iowa are especially alarmed about what comes up in a few weeks: a proposed gun rights amendment on the November ballot.
It is a question of whether "strict scrutiny" language should be added to Iowa's constitution in establishing the right to keep and bear arms. Opponents say it would make it easier to overturn common-sense gun laws, including one prohibiting someone convicted of a misdemeanor domestic violence offense, or who is subject to a protective order, from having a firearm.
Lindsay Pingel, director of community engagement for the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence, said such individuals should not possess a gun.
"It doesn't necessarily have to mean that the firearm even has to be used to cause harm," Pingel pointed out. "A person who harms might never fire that weapon at their victim, but they might use it to terrorize them."
She noted it includes pointing it at the victim or threatening to kill themselves. Supporters of the proposed amendment stressed Iowa is one of only six states to not have a right to bear arms in its constitution. They added their approach is in response to legal upholding of broader gun restrictions in the U.S., arguing backers of the laws have been able to work around the 2nd Amendment.
Matt Sinovic, executive director of Progress Iowa, another group opposed to the ballot question, said in Missouri, one of the states adopting "strict scrutiny" language, a case saw some success by leaning on the argument.
"It really will depend on the court and their interpretation of this because it is so new," Sinovic explained. "There's nothing that would prevent that from happening here in Iowa"
The ballot question comes after a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling expanding rights to carry firearms in public. A recent state report noted Iowa has seen 12 domestic violence fatalities in the first eight months of 2022. And Pingel feels there are more dangerous situations where a weapon is present, not on the radar of police or service providers.
"We know that for every victim that we hear about that is reporting a crime, or we unfortunately hear about after a tragedy, there's always so many more who aren't reporting what is happening to them," Pingel emphasized.
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Service providers and advocacy groups in Ohio and across the country are facing uncertainty following recent executive orders that have thrown federal funding for crisis services into question.
Taylr Ucker-Lauderman, chief engagement officer at the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence, said her organization relies on these funds to provide critical support to victims of sexual violence.
"These have become services and programs and entire organizations that communities in Ohio have come to depend on for decades," she said. "So we're talking about emergency life-saving services for people in our communities"
A national survey found that while 58% of local sexual-assault programs reported an increased demand for services, 40% reported a decrease in funding. This funding uncertainty is raising concerns about the potential strain on other community resources such as hospitals and emergency services.
Even with recent updates indicating that the memo on the federal funding freeze has been rescinded, Ohio service providers say the impact remains significant.
"Whether there is a federal funding freeze or it is rescinded, this still causes challenges for providing crisis services to survivors," she said. "Our time right now is focused on making Plan B or Plan C. This week the services are truly being impacted and interrupted."
Advocates have warned that funding instability, even if temporary, disrupts service continuity and creates long-term challenges for organizations that rely on these resources. While the memo reversal provides some relief, providers say they remain cautious about the broader implications for Ohioans who depend on these critical services.
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For crime survivors in Mississippi, the healing journey often begins with finding resources that can feel out of reach.
A $7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice could make a difference as they rebuild their lives. The funds will ensure support for priority groups, including survivors of child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence and underserved populations.
The Mississippi State Department of Health's Office Against Interpersonal Violence oversees the funds.
Cerissa Eubanks, grant administrator for the office, said they will focus on addressing barriers and providing critical support.
"To me, in my words, what this means, this is an avenue to help save someone that's been a victim of crime," Eubanks emphasized. "You may not be able to address all issues, but you have a path to start the process, and this path comes with funding."
The department, like many support providers, is still rebounding after the pandemic, when access to services decreased, even as the number of calls to places like domestic violence hotlines and shelters increased.
Eubanks explained collaboration lies at the heart of the initiative. The Health Department is encouraging nonprofits, for-profit companies and other organizations to apply if they have ways to provide more support services.
"If you're interested in working with victims and you meet the eligibility requirement, please apply for those funds so that we can offer more direct services to all victims of crime within the state of Mississippi," Eubanks urged.
She stressed the importance of partnerships with organizations like the Mississippi Domestic Violence Coalition and the Mississippi Sexual Assault Coalition, which complement or supplement traditional policing efforts. She added a wraparound approach to providing services reinforces the reality that no one agency can do it alone.
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The giving season offers Ohioans an opportunity to reflect on the importance of supporting community services.
For survivors of sexual violence in rural Ohio, donations are critical in maintaining vital resources. In 2023, donations made up about 1% of incoming funds to the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence.
Taylr Ucker-Lauderman, chief engagement officer of the alliance, explained rural areas face unique challenges.
"We've known for a while that there are service gaps there," Ucker-Lauderman pointed out. "We still need to provide crisis services like legal aid, like housing, medical services, and we don't want to lose any momentum. We want to keep our work going."
Rural areas often lack the resources available in urban centers, creating barriers to critical services such as transportation and crisis support. The coalition emphasized the importance of believing survivors and supporting them on their journey toward healing. Ucker-Lauderman acknowledged while grants and foundation resources fund most of the coalition's efforts, there are still remaining areas requiring additional support.
The organization has also prioritized empowering survivors through storytelling workshops, offering tools to help them reclaim their narratives.
Shelby Lieber, survivor coordinator for the alliance, emphasized the importance of such efforts, especially in rural communities, where stigma often silences survivors with notions like, "It doesn't happen here" or "If it does, it stays behind closed doors."
"We want to make sure that you're hearing survivor voices," Lieber stressed. "That way, other survivors can come forward and say, 'This happened to me and I'm ready to start healing.'"
The Alliance recently concluded a three-year project focusing on rural Ohio, addressing service barriers and increasing local capacity. These efforts underscore the resilience of Ohio's rural communities and the ongoing need for resources to foster healing and change.
Disclosure: The Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence contributes to our fund for reporting on Budget Policy and Priorities, Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault, Health Issues, and Women's Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest,
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