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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 5, 2009

Partnerships with prosecutors and victims’ advocates key to success for program

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Attorney General Greg Zoeller today highlighted the valuable role the Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) has played for more than eight years in protecting the lives of victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking in Indiana.

“This program was designed to be an additional protective measure for victims who live in fear for their lives and their children’s well-being,” Zoeller said. “The Address Confidentiality Program can offer some piece of mind for victims that their new home is a safer place.”

In July, the Indiana Supreme Court announced advancements in Indiana’s Protective Order Registry that allows victim advocates to prepare the petitions for protective orders on-line at a shelter. Indiana Supreme Court Justice Frank Sullivan, Jr. applauded Attorney General Zoeller’s focus on the Address Confidentiality Program.

“This remarkable achievement was only possible with the help of our partners in the Executive and Legislative branches and law enforcement. Attorney General Zoeller’s efforts with the Address Confidentiality Program allow victims of abuse one more tool to secure their safety,” Justice Sullivan said. “The Protective Order Registry was developed as part of our ongoing efforts to bring 21st century technology to Indiana’s trial courts.”

When a protective order is issued by a judge, it is filed in the registry and becomes immediately available to law enforcement anywhere in Indiana. In 2008, 34,736 new protective orders were filed in the registry. Having a protective order in place is an eligibility requirement to participate in the ACP.

St. Joseph County Prosecutor Mike Dvorak joined Zoeller to stress the importance of the ACP as one component to a victim’s overall safety plan.

“The advocates with the Family Justice Center, the Protective Order Project and Indiana Legal Services Attorney utilize this information in assisting the victim build a safety plan,” Prosecutor Dvorak said. “I appreciate the efforts of Attorney General Zoeller to raise awareness of the Address Confidentiality Program among those it may benefit.”

More than 50 domestic violence related deaths were reported in Indiana between July 2008 and June 2009. Statistically, domestic violence related deaths are declining in Indiana; however the Attorney General’s office is expanding outreach efforts to increase the visibility and availability of the ACP to those who may be in need of protection.

“Continuing to remind the public of this important and life-saving program has the potential to benefit more families in Indiana,” Zoeller added. “We are working with county prosecutors and victims’ advocates in an effort to ensure the benefits of the program are known and utilized."

Victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking who have protective orders in place against their abuser are eligible to maintain a confidential address through the Attorney General’s office. When an individual is enrolled in the program, their first-class mail is sent to a secure substitute address and then forwarded to their new home address. Indiana’s address confidentiality law took effect in July 2001, giving the Attorney General’s office the authority to administer the program.

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Since 2001, the Office has partnered with the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV), the Indiana Coalition Against Sexual Assault (INCASA), the Latino Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence (LCADSV) and domestic violence shelters around the state to deliver information about the ACP to eligible victims.

Participants in the program must be referred by trained victims’ advocates who are accessible through local county prosecutors’ offices. These advocates can determine if a victim meets the program’s eligibility requirements which include:

• At least 18 years of age OR
• A parent or guardian acting on behalf of a minor OR
• A guardian acting on behalf of an incapacitated person

Additionally, participants must:

• Have a valid protective order in place
• Be a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking
• Fear for their own or their child’s safety

The Attorney General’s office distributes ACP information packets to domestic violence programs, shelters, county prosecutors and counselors who assist victims in enrolling in the program.

For more information about the Address Confidentiality Program contact the Attorney General’s office at

1.800.321.1907 or email confidential@atg.state.in.us.

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