NEW YORK – Victims of domestic violence and related crimes in New York will now be able to request a new undisclosed home address to protect themselves from their attackers in a faster and safer way through a new online tool from the Confidentiality Program Address, (ACP, for its acronym in English). This was announced on Monday by the New York State Department.
This online application will facilitate enrollment in the program for people who previously could only apply for the program by mail or fax. In addition to victims of domestic violence, victims of harassment, sexual crimes and human trafficking can also register.
Under the program, survivors of these types of crime will be able to hide their true home and workplace addresses from the attackers and the public. In exchange for this, they will be assigned a substitute address given by the State Department.
“In New York, we help protect our most vulnerable from violent situations that can endanger them and their families,” said Secretary of State Rossana Rosado, who oversees this program. “The online application for the Address Confidentiality Program will make it faster and easier for thousands of New Yorkers in threatening situations to obtain protection from their perpetrators and help save lives.”
The ACP is available to help victims who are trying to rebuild their lives after experiencing a violent situation that put them in danger. This State program is free and what it does is allow victims to keep their home address hidden from the perpetrators by using a surrogate mailing address provided by the Department of State instead of their actual home, school, or work address. . Currently, the program serves about 3,200 people.
People interested in making the request online program can click here.
How does the program help victims?
- It offers them a substitute ACP address: Once certified, the participant will receive an identification card with their name, unique identification number and the substitute address, which is a PO box in Albany, New York. The card will also indicate the expiration date for the program participant and include ACP contact information.
- Accept process service: Program participants designate the Secretary of State to accept any legal notice on their behalf. The Secretary of State’s office will not release any identifying information to the process server. The program will only check if the person receiving the service is an ACP participant. A copy of any process will be sent to the participant by certified mail.
- Handling your mail: Any first class, registered or certified mail sent to the substitute address will be repackaged and forwarded to the participant’s actual postal address. This is done every day, Monday through Friday (except holidays). Participants should expect a delay of five to seven days in receiving their mail. The ACP will not send packages, periodicals or catalogs, unless they are clearly identified as pharmaceutical products (prescription drugs) or have been sent by a government agency.
According to the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV), in 2018 there were 341,909 phone calls to its domestic violence and sexual assault hotlines. Additionally, the National Conference on Domestic Violence indicates that, on an average day, more than 20,000 phone calls are made to domestic violence hotlines across the country. The figures also show that, in New York state, in 2019, some 65 women died at the hands of their partner.
Applications for the program, in addition to now being made online as well, will continue to be accepted by mail and fax and through application assistance providers located throughout the state. For more information and assistance with the application process, visit the ACP website at www.dos.ny.gov/acp or call toll free (855) 350-4595.
– .
