Legislature Expands Address Confidentiality Program to Include Sexual Assault Survivors and Reproductive Health Patients and Workers

TRENTON, NJ (June 10, 2019) – Earlier today, the New Jersey Senate unanimously passed a bill 37-0-0 to expand the state’s Address Confidentiality Program to include victims of sexual assault and stalking, and reproductive health care workers and patients to thwart abusers and harassers from finding them at home, work, and school. The bill passed the Assembly in May by a 75-0-0 vote and will head to Governor Murphy’s desk.

Advocates hailed the passage of the bill as a necessary measure to protect victims of abuse and reproductive health care patients and workers amidst national attacks on abortion clinics and providers.

“UU Faith Action NJ applauds the Assembly for today’s passage of strong protections for reproductive health care workers, volunteers and patients through the address confidentiality bill,” said Rev. Rob Gregson, Executive Director of Unitarian Universalist Faith Action. “Since introducing the initial language 3 years ago, UU FaithAction NJ has only grown more concerned about the harassment, intimidation and barely veiled violence directed towards people standing up for the rights of women and their families to choose the best reproductive options for their circumstances. Allowing workers and patients to protect their identity in the face of today’s local and national anti-choice campaign helps to give women and clinicians a level of safety and security so they can continue to give and receive the best reproductive health care possible.”

The program, modeled after California’s “Safe at Home” law, helps those who fear for their safety keep their home address confidential. Participants and survivors in the program are assigned a substitute address by government agencies in lieu of their actual residential or mailing address. The participant’s actual address remains confidential and available only to government program staff and law enforcement.

“The FBI recognizes sexual assault as the second most violent crime, the traumatic impact of which lasts a lifetime,” said Patricia Teffenhart, Executive Director of the New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault. “New Jersey has a growing portfolio of smart legislation and policies designed to address the needs of victims/survivors in the aftermath of victimization, including expanded access to protective orders and an extended civil statute of limitations. Providing survivors with the opportunity to participate in the existing Address Confidentiality Program is the next logical step in our continued pursuit of trauma-informed, survivor-centered policies that support those impacted by this heinous crime.”

Due to an increase in anti-abortion rhetoric by the Trump administration and the alarming number of state laws restricting or banning abortion care, anti-abortion extremists are feeling emboldened to harass and intimidate clinic staff and clients.

“Cherry Hill Women’s Center is a trusted community resource for families,” said Roxanne Sutocky, Director of Community Engagement for Cherry Hill Women’s Center and steering committee member of the Right to Thrive NJ coalition. “We provide indispensable health care and shouldn’t be compromised by anti-choice extremists who rely on intimidation tactics like photography, trespassing and video surveillance outside our Center. When we need to make criminal reports of these actions, we should be able to protect our identity as victims of anti-abortion extremists to avoid further harassment. We applaud this common-sense response to protecting our communities and health care workers.”

Abortion clinics nationwide faced a record number of picketing and trespassing incidents in 2018. Clinics and staff also faced increased rates of obstruction, vandalism, and online hate speech, according to the latest National Abortion Federation Violence and Disruption report.

“Safety for Planned Parenthood’s patients and staff is paramount to us as an organization,” said Kaitlyn Wojtowicz, Legislative and Political Director of Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey. “With the rising attacks on reproductive health care we’re proud to have a state legislature that values protecting patient, staff and volunteer privacy. We look forward to Governor Murphy signing this important piece of legislation and standing once again with reproductive health care providers in our state.”

The current Address Confidentiality Program serves approximately 270 adults and over 400 children, according to the latest data from FY2016. The program is administered in the Division on Women in the Department of Children and Families.

UU FaithAction New Jersey works to build alliances between front-line communities, advocacy groups, legislators and key coalitions across the state to make a real difference on issues of equity and justice.

Right to Thrive NJ is a statewide coalition working collectively to promote sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice through policy change and advocacy. Our members reflect a wide scope of New Jersey populations and issues, and include medical providers, legal experts, policy experts, faith-based organizations, immigrant rights groups and other community-based organizations.

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