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R-Lancaster County This week, the House unanimously approved two pieces of legislation that would protect victims of domestic violence and stalking by keeping their addresses confidential. HB1262 aims to establish the Address Confidentiality Program, which would provide victims of domestic violence and stalking with a means to prevent their assailants from using public records to locate them. The program would offer victims a legal substitute address provided by the Office of Victim Advocate (OVA), which could be used to fulfill the address requirements of court and government records, such as drivers' licenses, traffic tickets, motor vehicle registrations, court petitions and school records. When victims attempt to escape an abusive and violent relationship, they often run a greater risk of their assailant either seriously injuring them or killing them. That's because when batterers feel they are losing control of their victims, their violent instincts escalate. Relocation is not always enough. Abusers and assailants can be relentless and crafty in tracking down their victims. That's why the fewer people who know where a victim of domestic violence or stalking is, the safer that victim will be. The House also approved my related legislation, HB2574, which will amend the Pennsylvania Election Code to restrict public disclosure of the name and address of any person who is a participant in the Address Confidentiality Program. I hope this legislation will help reduce some alarming statistics. In 2003, 62 women and 13 children were murdered in domestic violence crimes in Pennsylvania. Already this year, 26 women have been killed. During an average week in Pennsylvania, 258 adult victims, 199 child victims and 267 friends or family members of victims go to rape crisis centers seeking services. The House took a stand against a tragic and pervasive problem in our society by passing this legislation. The support of my colleagues echoes the support that the governor has given my legislation. I have every reason to believe that this bill will move swiftly in the Senate and soon will be signed into law, providing an extra measure of protection for innocent victims. CapNews Guest Speaker: Archives |
