Victims of domestic violence and stalking can now request to have their addresses removed from public records in Virginia.
Local media outlet WFXRFOX News recently reported that victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, or child abduction have a Virginia state program that can protect them from their abusers, and that they should apply for it if necessary.
According to the outlet, the program is the Virginia Department of Justice’s “Address Confidentiality Program,” which provides a legal alternative address instead of removing the victim’s actual address from public records so that the abuser and others do not know the victim’s actual address. The Department of Justice will receive mail at the alternative address and safely deliver it to the victim. The alternative address provided to applicants will be the address of a state or local government agency.
“Since the COVID-19 pandemic, domestic violence hotline calls have increased by about 400%,” said an official from Rohnock Valley Family Services. “The Address Confidentiality Program helps victims feel safe and at ease and helps them focus on healing rather than living in fear.”
For more information about the program, please apply by emailing the address below.