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Address Confidentiality

The Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) provides victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking or stalking with an alternate mailing address to keep their actual home address out of public records where their perpetrator may find their location.

ACP is designed to be a part of an overall safety plan for victims who are planning to move or have recently moved to a location unknown to the perpetrator. *ACP is not a witness protection program.

ACP Basics

    • Once enrolled, participants are given an authorization card that includes their name, substitute address, and an individual participant number. The confidential address may be used as a legal address for court and state government records, including driver's license and ID cards, vehicle and voter registrations, school records, and marriage licenses.
       
    • ACP forwards all first-class, registered and certified mail to the participant, free of charge.
       
    • Participants are required to provide the Office of Victim Advocate with their physical address, contact information, and information on any criminal or civil court matters in PA courts in which they may be the victim, witness, plaintiff or defendant.
       
    • Enrollment in the program is valid for 3 years and may be renewed.

Those interested in the ACP program are encouraged to enroll through their local victim service agency to ensure complete understanding of the program. Enrollment can also be completed by contact OVA directly at 800.563.6399.

Additional Resources

 

ACP for Advocates

Local victim advocates are often the first point of contact for someone who is leaving a dangerous situation.

Victims/survivors who should consider ACP may be:

    • exiting an emergency shelter or moving into transitional/bridge housing
    • planning to leave a dangerous situation
    • fleeing a perpetrator who has threatened, stalked, or committed violent acts against them
    • relocating to another area, especially with children changing school districts
    • applying for a PFA and has moved
    • involved in court proceedings that include the perpetrator
    • fearful of the perpetrator and relocated due to safety concerns

It is helpful to discuss ACP with your client when:

    • you review an intake form
    • you complete a lethality assessment
    • you provide counseling and/or legal advocacy
    • you construct a safety plan

This ACP flyer (also in Spanish) is available to advertise the program to potential clients.

Upcoming ACP training opportunities: 

April 28, 2023

July 14, 2023

October 6, 2023