Riverview Center seeks county funding to continue providing support services survivors of sexual violence

By Zach Jensen,

Saturday, January 11, 2025 11:56 am

Riverview Center Sexual Assault Therapist Mindy Myers speaks with the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors Monday morning. (Photo by Zach Jensen)

About 25 percent of Winneshiek County residents will experience sexual violence in their lifetimes, according to numbers from Riverview Center, a regional nonprofit which provides support and advocacy for survivors of sexual assault. Representatives of Riverview Center recently requested county officials include a $8,500 contribution to Riverview Center in the county’s budget for fiscal year 2025-26.

The nonprofit organization provides completely free and confidential services to people of all ages who have been impacted by sexual violence in 14 Iowa counties and two northwest Illinois counties. The organization’s services include therapy, peer counseling, legal guidance and more. Riverview Center’s Director of Development and Public Relations Sam Blatt said the $8,500 request will help increase the availability of the center’s counseling, therapeutic and advocacy services for survivors of sexual grooming, rape, sexual assault, incest and other experiences. Blatt said Riverview Center has served 41 individuals in the last year alone — totaling almost 900 service hours.

“It’s estimated that almost 3,500 women in Winneshiek County will experience sexual assault or sexual violence in their lifetime, and almost 1,500 men in Winneshiek County will also experience sexual assault or abuse in their lifetime,” Blatt said. “And we are there to provide support.”

Full article available in the January 9 Decorah Leader.

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