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I am a retired law enforcement officer, at both the city and county levels. I spent nearly 40 years in my career, protecting our communities and working with survivors of sex abuse and sexual assault. Countless times I have sat across the table from victims of crime, interviewing them and trying to build a trusting relationship with them as they are reeling from the trauma of what has happened. Absolutely no one asks to be the victim of a crime. Many people do not understand what it’s like when they are thrust into this new reality. 

It is through my work in this field that I have come to realize just how much victims are falling through the cracks. As these victims are trying to move on and pick themselves up from a situation they did not ask to be in, they are revictimized by the process all over again. They do not get notified of hearings when they need to be present to help them heal. They are silenced when they deserve to be heard. 

The Iowa Legislature must address this problem and elevate victims’ rights to the state constitution. Putting victims’ rights right alongside the rights of the defendant will not diminish those protections, it will only give victims equal footing in terms of the judicial process. 

There is no doubt in my mind that the crime victims I have worked with over the years absolutely deserve the right to be protected from the convicted, the right to be heard at trial and the right to be notified of parole or escape of the convicted. 

I do not take amending our state constitution lightly. I understand and respect the work that went into developing our state constitution. That being said, amending our state constitution is not a new concept. It has been done to correct injustices at the highest level. I truly believe that is how dire the situation has become for crime victims. 

I will continue to advocate to our local legislators and any who will listen. We must pass a crime victims’ rights amendment during the 2020 session. 

Don DeKock

Former Mahaska Co. Sheriff Deputy, Former President of Sheriff and Deputy Association

Pella

“Thank you for letting me come to the capitol with you.”

That was the message we received from Shal, a crime victim survivor and our friend, who devoted her entire Tuesday to traveling to the State Capitol and talking to legislators about the need for a crime victims’ rights amendment in Iowa.

All we could do was hug her and say, “No Shal, thank YOU.”

There is no better person that a legislator can hear from than a constituent, an Iowan who has been thrown into the criminal justice process in our state and has the firsthand experience of what a nightmare it really is.

Since the legislature has started their 2020 session, we are organizing “Takeover Tuesdays” – getting groups of people together who are interested in changing our system for the better, giving crime victims’ constitutional rights.

We understand that not everyone can take time off work or school to drive to Des Moines and talk to their legislator. That’s okay – there are other ways you can get involved. It’s as easy as a click of your mouse to send an email to your legislator, you could pick up the phone and give them a call, you could pull them aside at a local forum in your town, you could even just sign our online petition – no action is too small, no work is too insignificant.

We know brave survivors like Shal are the backbone of this organization. But the rest of us must follow their lead and push for change, for our voices matter too. At any given moment someone we love may become the victim of a crime and be thrown into a criminal justice system that favors the convicted. Now is the time for a crime victims’ rights amendment and we need your help.

The start of the 2020 legislative session gets underway next week, and I could not be more excited about it.

Arm-in-arm with the best volunteers and interns, our team has worked all summer and fall to lay the groundwork to have a successful session at the capitol.  The only way we will be able to move this monumental piece of legislation forward is with your help. Constituent voices like yours are critical in demonstrating the importance of constitutionally protecting Iowa’s crime victims. Legislators want to hear from their neighbors, from survivors, about how badly this is needed.

Starting on Jan. 21st, I will be organizing supporters like you to join us at the statehouse to meet with legislators on every Tuesday of the week — I’m calling it “Takeover Tuesday.”

This kind of outreach to your elected officials is a simple process, yet extremely effective. You should not feel intimidated to get involved.

Here’s what you can expect:

      -Show up at the Capitol building on Tuesday and find our team in the rotunda (you can’t miss us in our purple shirts). Stay all day or as long as you’re able. Even a quick stop over your lunchbreak is helpful.

      -We will help you find your state representative and senator and submit a slip of paper, requesting a meeting.

      - Your elected official will come out of their respective chamber to speak with you. This will be an easy conversation where you introduce yourself and explain why you are at the Capitol advocating for a crime victims’ rights amendment.

      -The legislator will listen to you respectfully, provide any feedback and you will leave literature with them, which we will provide for you.

We’d love to have you join us every Tuesday at the capitol.  If you feel more comfortable attending a local legislative forum in your hometown, we can accommodate that as well.  Please reach out to me directly at [email protected] or (515) 505-0737 for more information or to sign up today. Together we can make sure crime victims receive the protections they deserve.

Thank you for your help – Levi.

Hello! I’m Leah and one of the Field Directors for Marsy’s Law for Iowa. I am excited for this opportunity to work toward equal rights for crime victims in Iowa.

I am a graduate from the University of Northern Iowa, with a degree in Interactive Digital Studies with an emphasis in Digital Imaging and Digital Visualization, and with a minor in Graphic Technologies. My past work experience includes graphic design work at a digital marketing company, and at a Fortune 500 company.  In addition, I was an event designer at Conference Event Management for marketing and client’s event communications, which also included responsibilities in planning events, being an on-site trip director, building client website, attendee management and other event needs. I’ve also supported other small businesses and non-profits as a Freelance Graphic Designer.

My desire to make a difference brought me to Marsy’s Law for Iowa. Since 2012, I have been very heavily involved with my family through a non-profit founded by my brother, Opportunity on Deck.  This organization serves Central Iowa communities by providing free-of-charge meals and athletic opportunities for children in nine different sports, summer camps, and through college visits and scholarships – all at no cost to the participants. Through Opportunity on Deck, I gained experience in marketing, graphic design, website building, organizational development, leaderships, coaching and mentoring.

I am eager to use my desire to make a difference, to use my skills, and grow as a result of working for Marsy’s Law for Iowa.

Welcome to the team, Leah! You can reach her at [email protected]

We know this time of year can be busy with holiday parties, school concerts, volunteering, gift-giving and everything in between. It’s also a time when legislators are meeting with constituents, gathering ideas for the next legislative session which begins in January.

We want to make sure a crime victims’ rights amendment is a priority for our state legislators when they head back to Des Moines which is why we are having a HoliDay of Action. Every day, we are seeing new supporters come on board to help in our efforts, and we want to make another push to get more supporters who will contact their legislators, asking them to move forward on our bill. 

On Tuesday, Dec. 17, we will work from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., reaching out to Iowans across the state. We will also be stamping and labeling postcards that have been signed by supporters that will be mailed to legislators during session. At the end of the day, we'll host an open house with refreshments and prizes (more info to come). 

Would you be willing to help us? We understand it’s a busy time of the year, but even a 30-minute shift will help us push a crime victims’ rights amendment forward. You can come into our office in Des Moines, or it’s something that can be done from your home.

Please let us know if you have any questions and if we can count on you to help with our Day of Action on December 17.