Mississippi Seals Domestic Violence Victims' Public Records to Keep Them from Being Found

The Mississippi Attorney General has recently spearheaded what is known as Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) for victims of domestic violence. This means women and children who escape from an abusive situation can now get a designated ACP substitute address, which is used to receive mail and any other service of process.

This new law essentially exempts such households from the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983. So, if someone is looking for this family's public records, they will never see the actual address; the ACP substitute address becomes the permanent address of record, as far as any government agency is concerned. The victim can use this address to obtain a new driver's license, enroll the kids in school, vote, or obtain social services - anything at all.

The biggest threat to domestic violence victims and their families is discovery by the abuser, after they've escaped and started a new life in a different place. Unfortunately, this is one situation in which the open public records system was acting against the victims' best interests; hence, the pertinent and timely legislative amendment.

The MS Attorney General's Office is extremely proud to initiate such a worthy legislative change in support of all the women and children who need this chance for a fresh start. The Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence agrees that anonymity is the main factor that can make or break a victim's chance for a new beginning. Making sure they have the power of sealed public records behind them is the kind of assistance they need most of all.