Victims of rape, domestic violence or stalking could use a fake address, with the actual address known only to the secretary of state’s office, under a legislative proposal announced Thursday.
The measure is intended to protect people from abusers who could track them down online within minutes through public records.
The secretary of state would receive and forward any mail sent to the fake address.
People who sign up for the confidentiality program could use the fake address on school records, voter registration cards and income tax forms.
“I don’t think anybody in this state should have to choose between protecting her family or voting,” said House Speaker Andrew Romanoff, who said he plans to introduce the legislation with Sen. Ron Tupa, D-Boulder.
Victims’ rights groups said many women are assaulted two or three times by the same person and often keep moving in hopes their assailants won’t find them.
“One of the most dangerous times for victims is right after they leave their attacker,” said Tamika Payne, executive director of the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault. “Victims of violence need to be able to participate in all processes without fear of the perpetrator finding where they are.”
“The last thing in the world we want to see is the continuing victimization,” Arvada Police Chief Ron Sloan said.
A woman receiving help from Family Tree Domestic Violence Services in Jefferson County gave up her right to vote when she realized the man who abused her could use it to find out her address, said Kim Whit rap, supervisor of the group’s legal advocacy program.
Nearly 15,000 domestic violence cases were filed in Colorado courts in 2005, and nearly 5,000 women and their children lived in domestic violence shelters.
The Colorado measure would mimic address confidentiality programs in 21 states.
Fines of about $20 charged to perpetrators of domestic violence would fund it.
Advocates from the domestic violence center at the University of Colorado-Denver’s Graduate School of Public Affairs asked the lawmakers to initiate the program.
Staff writer Jennifer Brown can be reached at 303-954-1593 or jenbrown@denverpost.com.
