referenced his work in Congress

In an effort to help bolster support systems for domestic abuse and sexual violence survivors, U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn introduced legislation Monday aimed at increasing access to federal aid for victims’ services providers.

Nunn, a Republican representing Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District, introduced the Protecting Women and Children Act, a bill cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Yadira Caraveo, a Colorado Democrat. The legislation calls for the U.S. attorney general to conduct a review of federal Department of Justice grant and assistance programs that provide support for victims of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault and stalking, and to make recommendations for improvements for victims’ safety and long-term support.

Nunn said in a Des Moines news conference Monday that bettering these programs was necessary nationwide, but that domestic abuse and sexual violence have an outsized impact on Iowa. In 2022, Iowa saw the number of highest domestic-violence related deaths in a decade, according to the state Attorney General’s office. Nunn said Iowa ranks second in the nation for the percentage of women who have experienced domestic violence.

The proposed legislation would seek to improve federal grants available to community organizations, Nunn said — providing support to existing victims’ support organizations like the Soaring Hearts Foundation in Des Moines.

“This is a needed piece of legislation to really buttress those frontline organizations who are out there every day,” Nunn said. “Not reinventing the wheel with a federal solution, but recognizing the hard work of those who are out there helping survivors and getting them to a safer chapter.”

Nunn was joined in Des Moines by Tiffany Allison, the founder of the Soaring Hearts Foundation. She shared her story of experiencing domestic violence and the difficult court process that followed. Allison said she created the foundation to give other victims the support and resources she wished were available when she needed them, and thanked Nunn for “fighting to bring resources to those who need it most in our community.”

“Communities need more resources, victims need more support,” Allison said. “Victims’ organizations deserve the ability and opportunity to streamline this process for survivors in order to give them a real chance to escape, to survive and to heal. Men and women suffering and struggling in your communities need assistance and deserve to live a life free from abuse.”

Caraveo said in a news release the legislation would help survivors escape dangerous situations.

“With domestic violence deaths in Colorado hitting a record high this year for the second year in a row, it’s clear we must do more to protect survivors and tackle the root causes of this crisis,” Caraveo said in a statement. “I’m proud to join Congressman Nunn in introducing the Protecting Women and Children Act. This crucial legislation directs the Justice Department to identify and close gaps in our domestic violence prevention infrastructure.”

The legislation also includes a directive to prioritize rural communities, which are underserved by victims’ support services, Nunn said.

“In short, Iowa: we can and we must do more to help survivors this holiday season, but throughout the entire year,” Nunn said. “Iowa’s on the forefront both of leading solutions but also in needing solutions to be able to improve the situation for survivors of violence.”