Reporting Stalking to Iowa Officials
Every hotline, state agency, and court resource you need to report stalking in Iowa.
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How to use this guide
This guide covers statewide Iowa resources: the government agencies, hotlines, and courts that serve every county. Each section also tells you how to find the right local office for your specific county.
Start here: Iowa's primary stalking protection is a No Contact Order issued by the court as part of a criminal prosecution of stalking, harassment, or sexual abuse charges.
Before you call: have your documentation ready — dates, what happened, any messages or photos saved, and whether a report has already been filed elsewhere.
If you're in danger: call 911 first. Every other number in this guide is for follow-up support, not emergency response.
Emergency & Immediate Danger
Emergency — Police, Fire, Medical
911
Call if you are in immediate danger, right now.
Iowa State Patrol (find your local district)
Via dps.iowa.gov
For non-emergency matters outside local police jurisdiction.
Iowa VINE — Protective Order Notification
Via vinelink.vineapps.com
Free, confidential notification tied to protective orders and offender custody.
Can't speak safely? In areas where Text-to-911 is supported, you can text instead of calling — check with your mobile carrier for coverage in your county.
Iowa — Statewide Agencies
Iowa Attorney General — Victim Assistance Section
515-281-5044
Toll-free 800-373-5044 · Hoover State Office Building, 1305 East Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50319.
iowaattorneygeneral.gov/for-crime-victims ↗Iowa Victim Service Call Center
1-800-770-1650
24/7 · Text IOWAHELP to 20121 · Funded by the Attorney General's Crime Victim Assistance program.
Iowa Safe at Home (Address Confidentiality Program)
Via safeathome.iowa.gov
safeathome@iowa.gov · Run by the Iowa Secretary of State · keeps your address off public records.
safeathome.iowa.gov ↗Iowa Dept. of Corrections — Office of Victim Programs
800-778-1182
Notification and support for victims whose case involves someone under state supervision.
Reporting to Local Police & Sheriffs
Stalking is usually reported to the police department in the city where you live or work, or to your county sheriff outside city limits.
Your local police department (non-emergency line)
Dial 911, or search “[your city] police non-emergency”
Stalking can be reported at any city police department or county sheriff's office.
Your county sheriff's office
Varies by county
Primary law enforcement in unincorporated parts of Iowa.
Your county Clerk of Court
Find yours via iowacourts.gov
A No Contact Order for stalking is tied to criminal prosecution; a civil protective order is also available for sexual abuse victims.
Good to know: you can file a report at any police department, not only the one nearest the stalker. Ask for the officer's name, a complaint or case number, and how to follow up.
No Contact Orders & Protective Orders in Iowa
No Contact Order: Iowa's primary stalking protection, issued by the court as part of a criminal prosecution of harassment, stalking, or sexual abuse charges.
Civil protective order: also available to victims of sexual abuse, to keep the abuser away from your home, school, and work.
Effective immediately: a No Contact Order takes effect the moment it's issued, and can be verified any time through the county clerk or local law enforcement.
Iowa Judicial Branch
Official forms and instructions for No Contact Orders and protective orders.
iowacourts.gov ↗Where to file
Your county Clerk of Court — ask about filing a police report first, since the No Contact Order is tied to criminal charges.
Step-by-Step: What to Expect
Filing a Police Report
- 1Go to any police department or county sheriff's office — you do not have to go to the one nearest the stalker.
- 2Ask to speak with an officer and say clearly that you want to report stalking or harassment.
- 3Bring your documentation: dates, messages, photos, and names of any witnesses.
- 4Ask for the report's complaint number before you leave, and request a copy if possible.
- 5Ask about victim assistance resources — many departments have a victim advocate or can refer you to the Victim Service Call Center.
Getting a Protective Order
- 1Report the stalking to police — a No Contact Order is typically tied to criminal charges being filed.
- 2Describe each incident with as much detail as possible — dates, what happened, and any pattern you've noticed.
- 3Ask the county attorney's office or your Clerk of Court about a civil protective order if you don't want to wait on criminal charges.
- 4A judge can issue the order quickly, and it takes effect immediately once issued.
- 5Keep a copy of the order with you, at home, and at work — it can be verified any time through the clerk or local police.
Specialized Support
Iowa Child & Dependent Adult Abuse Hotline
1-800-362-2178
24/7, statewide — one number covers both suspected child abuse and abuse of a dependent adult. You may remain anonymous.
Quick-Reference Contact Sheet
| Agency | Phone | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency — Police, Fire, Medical | 911 | Emergency |
| Iowa State Patrol (find your local district) | Via dps.iowa.gov | Emergency |
| Iowa VINE — Protective Order Notification | Via vinelink.vineapps.com | Emergency |
| Iowa Attorney General — Victim Assistance Section | 515-281-5044 | Statewide |
| Iowa Victim Service Call Center | 1-800-770-1650 | Statewide |
| Iowa Safe at Home (Address Confidentiality Program) | Via safeathome.iowa.gov | Statewide |
| Iowa Dept. of Corrections — Office of Victim Programs | 800-778-1182 | Statewide |
| Iowa Child & Dependent Adult Abuse Hotline | 1-800-362-2178 | Specialized |
Frequently Asked Questions — Reporting Stalking in Iowa
How do I report stalking in Iowa?
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. Otherwise, file a report with your local police department or county sheriff's office — you do not have to go to the one nearest the stalker. Bring dates, messages, photos, and witness names, and ask for the complaint or case number before you leave.
What should I do first if I think I'm being stalked in Iowa?
Stop engaging and start documenting. Save every message, call log, and screenshot with dates and times, and keep a written log of each incident. Then report it to local law enforcement using the contacts in this guide, and call 911 any time you are in immediate danger.
How do I get a protective order in Iowa?
No Contact Order: Iowa's primary stalking protection, issued by the court as part of a criminal prosecution of harassment, stalking, or sexual abuse charges. Civil protective order: also available to victims of sexual abuse, to keep the abuser away from your home, school, and work. Effective immediately: a No Contact Order takes effect the moment it's issued, and can be verified any time through the county clerk or local law enforcement.
Is there a fee to file a protective order in Iowa?
Filing fees vary by court in Iowa, but many protection-order petitions for stalking victims are free or fee-waived. The court listed in this guide can confirm the current fee before you file.
Can I get financial help for stalking-related costs in Iowa?
Yes — Iowa has a crime victim compensation program that may help cover medical, counseling, and lost-wage costs. See the statewide agencies section of this guide for the contact.
What counts as stalking under Iowa law?
Stalking is a repeated pattern of unwanted conduct — following you, repeated calls, texts, or messages, showing up uninvited, tracking your location, or making threats — that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety. In Iowa, a protective order is generally available regardless of your relationship to the stalker.
Can I report stalking in Iowa if the stalker lives in another state?
Yes. File the report where you live or where the stalking occurred. If the behavior crosses state lines, tell the officer — some cases may involve cross-jurisdiction or federal enforcement.
Can I report stalking anonymously in Iowa?
You can submit tips anonymously through statewide hotlines, and many child and adult abuse hotlines accept anonymous reports. For a criminal case, your name may need to appear on the report — ask the agency about its confidentiality policy.
What evidence should I save when reporting stalking in Iowa?
Save every message, email, voicemail, screenshot, and call log with dates and times; keep a written incident log; and note any witnesses. Back everything up to a secure location the stalker cannot access.
Where can I download the printable Iowa reporting guide?
You can download the free Iowa reporting guide as a PDF at https://www.stalking.org/Stalking.org-Reporting-to-Iowa-Officials.pdf. It includes every phone number and court contact in one printable sheet.
Disclaimer
The information on Stalking.org is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice, medical advice, or mental-health advice, and it does not create an attorney-client or other professional relationship. If you are in immediate danger, call 911 (United States) or your local emergency number — Stalking.org is not a crisis hotline. Laws and platform policies change frequently, so always consult a qualified attorney, law enforcement officer, or licensed professional about your specific situation.
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