How Are Domestic Violence Programs Meeting the Economic Needs of Battered Women in Iowa?
An Assessment and Recommendations by Katie M. Ciorba VonDeLinde (March 2002) This document explores the economic needs of battered women as identified by nine Iowa-based focus groups, five composed of battered women and four of domestic violence advocates. Focus groups with battered women identified their main economic concerns as: health care, childcare, the impact of the batterer in influencing their economic plans, the lack of livable wage jobs, child support, housing and rental deposits, and transportation. In addition to the issues raised by battered women, domestic violence advocates also identified legal fees, utility deposits, clothing, job training, education, therapy costs, food, issues for undocumented women, relocation costs, debt and poor credit, safety costs (such as alarm systems, locks, reinforced doors), and strict eligibility requirements for economic assistance programs as other concerns. The paper provides recommendations for improving economic advocacy within local
