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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 30, 2009

Program protects safety of victims of domestic violence, stalking and sexual assault

INDIANAPOLIS– As part of Domestic Violence Awareness month, Attorney General Greg Zoeller today highlighted the valuable role the Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) has played in protecting the lives of victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking in Indiana for more than eight years. Zoeller stressed the importance of the ACP as one component to a victim’s overall safety plan.

“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.”

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 victim’s 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, his/her 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.

Since 2001, the Office has partnered with the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV), the Indiana Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA) and the Latino Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence (LCADSV) to deliver information about the program 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

Laura Berry, executive director for ICADV said the protective measure is important. “The Address Confidentiality Program is an excellent tool to enhance safety for victims of domestic violence and stalking,” Berry explained. “Domestic violence shelters and nonresidential programs are ideally situated to assist victims in accessing the program and explaining its benefits.”

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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Media Contact:
Molly Butters

Office of the Attorney General

317-232-0168

Molly.Butters@atg.in.gov