Safe Harbor Laws allow some level of criminal immunity to sexual assault victims, especially minors. Iowa is one of several states in the U.S. that does not have such laws in place.

Because of this, Pieper Lewis, 17 was sentenced to 5 years of supervised probation and must pay $150,000 to the family of the man she killed after he repeatedly sexually assaulted her. If she violates any of the rules of her probation she can be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison for protecting herself from further assault. 

Assult victims in Iowa can be affected and sentenced to the same punishments as someone who has not experienced their trauma. By passing a Safe Harbor Law, we can help these victims recover and not suffer further from the actions of their abusers.