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Office of The Victim Advocate

Office of The Victim Advocate. Address Confidentiality Program. Office of The Victim Advocate. System based Experience in handling confidential information. What Is ACP ?. Provides a legal substitute address to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking

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Office of The Victim Advocate

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  1. Office of The Victim Advocate Address Confidentiality Program

  2. Office of The Victim Advocate • System based • Experience in handling confidential information

  3. What Is ACP ? • Provides a legal substitute address to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking • A free first-class confidential mail forwarding service • Protection of State and County Government records

  4. Eligibility • A victim of domestic violence • A victim of sexual assault • A victim of stalking • A person who is a member of the same household as a program participant • Relocated or plans to relocate to a location not known to the perpetrator

  5. Exceptions for Participation • A released offender complying with State or County Probation/Parole requirements • A convicted sexual offender who must register under Megan’s Law Act 25 of 1995

  6. How to Apply • Complete the ACP application at a local Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Victim Service Program • Provide a written affidavit describing the perpetrator’s past abuse as well as any fear of future violent acts • Provide a signature on all documents and the ACP authorization card

  7. Upon Enrollment • Assignment of the substitute address and ACP number • Issued a laminated ACP authorization card • Enrollment is valid for a period of 3 years

  8. Jane Doe, 00345 PO Box 2465 Harrisburg, PA 17105-2465

  9. Agent for Service of Process • Participant designates OVA as their agent for service of process • Legal mail is considered received upon OVA’s signature • A victim cannot avoid their legal responsibilities by refusing to accept mail ACP will forward to them

  10. Substitute Address • Has no relation to the participant’s actual address • Is a PO Box Number with the participant’s ACP # • Used for all first class, registered and certified mail • No packages, magazines, junk mail etc

  11. Use of Substitute Address • State and local government agencies must accept the substitute address on the ACP authorization card • DPW • Dept. of State • Dept. of Transportation • Dept. of Education

  12. Use of Substitute Address • Private companies do not have to accept the address but may do so if asked • Electric Company • Telephone Company • Cable Company • Mortgage/Landlord

  13. Cancellation From ACP • Participant provided false information on their application • Failed to notify ACP within 5 days of a name or address change • Mail is returned to ACP as non-deliverable

  14. Cancels their participation from the program • Fails to renew their participation prior to the expiration date • If cancelled from ACP, a participant can reapply

  15. Disclosure of Actual Address • OVA grants the state or local government agency a waiver • In an emergency where a participant and/or family member may be in danger

  16. Disclosure of Actual Address • A court order directs OVA to release the participant’s address • If State or Local Law Enforcement is conducting a criminal investigation • No notice to participant is given

  17. Agency Request For A Waiver

  18. Waiver Request State/Local Government Agency requests actual address of ACP Participant OVA notifies the ACP Participant allowing for comment Waiver form is sent to the Agency requesting the address. The form is returned to OVA

  19. OVA reviews the request Waiver Denied OVA sends certified mail reasons for denial Waiver Granted OVA sends the address with instructions on the limited use of the address After receipt of denial Agency may appeal within 15 days Ova has 30 days to respond may request additional information or conduct a hearing this is OVA’s final determination Agency is denied- 30 days to appeal for review by general Court OVA is given notice of any action taken

  20. The Advocate’s Role • Assist victim to determine if they are eligible for ACP services. For example: • Location unknown to perpetrator • Able to manage a delay of mail delivery • Assist victim in understanding the limits of ACP • Just one part of a safety strategy • Assist victim in understanding responsibilities as a participant

  21. For More Information Call the Office of The Victim Advocate 1-800-563-6399

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