Certification and Training Requirements

Twenty hours of training as outlined in Iowa Criminal Code 915.20A, is required as a minimum for any staff or volunteer who provides advice, counseling, and assistance to victims of crime. This training can be provided by the crime victim center with which the employee or volunteer is engaged or one of the following entities:

Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence:

As direct experience working with survivors of domestic abuse and sexual abuse is a required part of the process, only paid and volunteer staff of member programs of the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence are eligible for certification through this program. As domestic and sexual abuse work is difficult, stressful, and filled with complex issues and decisions, allied professionals are welcome to attend trainings for their own professional development but are not eligible for certification. 

Contact Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence for information on their certification program. 

Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault (IowaCASA):

As direct experience working with survivors of sexual abuse is a required part of the process, only paid and volunteer staff of IowaCASA’s member programs are eligible for certification through this program.

Allied professionals are welcome to attend trainings for their own professional development but are not eligible for certification.

Contact Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault for information on their certification program. 

Iowa Organization for Victim Assistance:

This voluntary program is open to anyone providing direct and/or indirect services to crime victims.

Information on IOVA's Advocate Certification Training