TO PROTECT VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN: Villar files 'address confidentiality' bill

Senate President Manny Villar filed Senate Bill 2443 seeking to establish an "address confidentiality program" for victims of violence against women and children.

"Women and children who have been physically and emotionally abused often find it necessary to transfer residence in order to prevent their abusers from inflicting more harm," explained Villar, "Unfortunately, their efforts fail due to modern mechanisms to track down their whereabouts," he said.

Thus, Villar wants to establish the "address confidentiality program" patterned after the United States' where 31 of its states have implemented such since 1991.

Section 4 of Villar's bill provides, "The Department of Justice shall establish and administer the address confidentiality program for victims of violence against women and children that shall ensure their protection and safety by providing them with substitute address to be used when interacting with government agencies and a new mailing address which keeps their actual address confidential and free from the risk of discovery by third parties."

"The program shall cater to victims who intend to establish a new residence and those who have already relocated to another place unknown to their assailants or abusers who may use public records to find them," the bill states.

Eligible for the program are victims (1) attempting to escape from actual or threatened violence, (2) fearing for her or her child's safety, and (3) who recently established a new residence unknown to the abuser or planning to do so in the near future.

Upon approval of their application to avail of the program, victims can exercise their rights and perform all necessary activities without revealing their actual address. They may also use their designated address for other mails which may include utility bills, bank statements, court summonses, among others.

To ensure victims' peace of mind while starting a new life in a secure environment and help them get back into the mainstream of society, the proposed program should be put in place, Villar stressed.