Des Moines County proclaims October 2025 Domestic Violence Awareness Month after local advocates’ presentation

The Des Moines County Board of Supervisors proclaimed October 2025 Domestic Violence Awareness Month and heard a presentation from local advocates about services and needs in the county.

Jennifer Daley, who identified herself as the domestic violence services coordinator, introduced Crystal Yonner of Journey House and described programs available to survivors, saying the organization offers safety planning, emergency sheltering and a 24/7 crisis line. Daley told supervisors the group will host a "Shop for Shelter" fundraiser at Hy-Vee on Angular Street the following day and encouraged community donations of needed items.

Daley cited local service figures for fiscal 2025 in Burlington: "there were 321 reports of domestic violence," 341 individuals served, 3,111 services provided and 4,322 hours invested in service delivery. She also cited national and behavioral statistics commonly used in awareness messaging, including that about "1 in 3 people" experience domestic violence during their lifetime and that many victims try to leave their abusers multiple times before leaving permanently.

The board read a proclamation noting the long-term physical, psychological and societal harms of domestic violence and the role of local advocates and criminal-justice and health partners in responding. A supervisor moved to approve the proclamation, a second was recorded, and the board approved it on the record. Presenters were invited forward for a photograph after the vote; the meeting record notes a camera malfunction during the photo.

The proclamation highlights local services and events and directs residents seeking help to the crisis line and to local shelter resources described by Daley and Journey House.