October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the Address Confidentiality Program is offered by the Office of the Attorney General’s Victim Services Unit in Virginia.
Attorney General Jason Miyares encourages Virginians impacted by domestic violence, stalking, sexual violence, human trafficking and child abduction to apply for the Address Confidentiality Program (ACP), which provides a legal substitute address, ensuring a survivor’s actual physical location is shielded from public records and inaccessible to their abuser.
Participants in the ACP are assigned a confidential mailing address to use for all first-class mail, legal matters and government interactions. The Office of the Attorney General securely forwards mail to the participant’s actual address, preventing any direct connection to their new location. The protection extends to both adults and minors whose parent or guardian is enrolled in the program.
“Every survivor in Virginia should know that they are not alone,” Miyares said. “Resources like the Address Confidentiality Program are available to provide safety and peace of mind, empowering survivors to focus on healing without living in fear.”
Once enrolled, participants are responsible for notifying state and local agencies of their ACP status. Government agencies are legally required to accept the ACP address as the participant’s official residential address. The certification lasts for three years, with the option to renew.
Participants receive an ACP authorization card, which serves as official verification when interacting with government entities. Miyares urges survivors and their support systems to explore the full range of resources available through the ACP and other victim support programs.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, contact the Virginia Statewide Hotline for Domestic and Sexual Violence at 1-800-838-8238 for confidential support and referrals. In case of immediate danger, call 911.
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Rebecca Barnabi
