Victim Services

Every Year:

• 37 million Americans become victims
• $450 billion is lost to personal crime
• $25 billion is spent by the criminal justice system 

What is I.O.V.A.?

If you have been a victim, know someone who has been or are concerned about victim rights, the Iowa Organization for Victim Assistance (I.O.V.A) is here for you. I.O.V.A. is an organization of crime victims, victim advocates, concerned citizens and concerned agencies. Established in 1983, I.O.V.A. works to address victim issues in Iowa. I.O.V.A. accomplishes this purpose by:

• Advocating for short and long term changes in the criminal and civil justice system to better meet the needs of victims, survivors and witnesses.
• Educating professionals to provide more sensitive services to victims, survivors and witnesses.
• Advocating for the development and continued improvement of victim services in Iowa.
• Providing forums for crime victims and witnesses to voice their concerns and grievances.

The Right to Victim Restitution:

• At sentencing, an offender can be ordered to pay victim restitution. Restitution means payment of crime related expenses to a victim by an offender.
• Victims must submit all out-of-pocket expenses to the county attorney's office and the county attorney shall request that the offender be ordered to pay restitution.
• Since 1997, judges are required to order offenders to pay $150,000 to the estate of a victim killed as a result of a crime. This amount is to be ordered beyond the restitution ordered to victims for out-of-pocket expenses. 

The Right to a Victim Impact Statement:

At the time of sentencing, a victim or survivor has the right to submit a victim impact statement to the court. This statement may be presented in person or in writing.

• The statement affords victims the opportunity to publicly state the effects of crime on themselves and their families. This statement is not offered to determine guilt.
• A victim may seek the assistance of advocates or survivors when preparing and presenting the victim impact statement.