People protest closing of University of Iowas Rape Victim Advocacy Program [Video]

IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) -On Saturday, April 13th, around 100 people gathered for a protest at the Pentacrest in Downtown Iowa City.

They say they’re concerned about the closing of the schools Rape Victim Advocacy Program.

More than a dozen people spoke at this protest.

The University has said none of RVAP’s services will go away when the program is set to end later this fall.

Instead, the Iowa City based non-profit Domestic Violence Intervention Program will take over, and provide a crisis line, access to sexual assault resources and more to university students.

According to the University of Iowa, only 11% of RVAP’s direct services were used by university students or staff from July 2023 to March 2024.

People on campus however are worried this change will make it harder for students who need help, to get it.

“I love DVIP DVIP is a great organization, they are at capacity and their are going to be without a lot of our grant funding …