Costa Howard Fights to Protect Privacy of Sexual Assault Survivors

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Terra Costa Howard, D-Glen Ellyn, introduced new address confidentiality legislation to protect the privacy rights of survivors of sexual assault and stalking by keeping their home addresses out of the public record.

“I have spent my career working as an attorney and a court-appointed guardian ad litem for vulnerable people,” said Costa Howard.  “Survivors of sexual assault and stalking deserve to have their private information protected, inside and outside the courtroom. This legislation closes a loophole and ensures that these victims can appear in court without worrying that their assailants will show up on their doorsteps.”

Address confidentiality keeps a victim’s address out of the public record, making that information accessible only to law enforcement or other government entities. Under current law, address confidentiality is limited to people who have been victims of domestic violence or who have credible fear for their own safety or the safety of their children. Costa Howard introduced House Bill 2818 to expand address confidentiality eligibility to sexual assault survivors and stalking victims.

“People who have survived sexual assault and stalking need to know that their decision to stand up in court will not make them more vulnerable to retaliation or abuse from their assailants,” Costa Howard said. “Our legal system needs to support these brave people, preserve their privacy, and keep them and their families safe and secure. With HB 2818, we will be able to assure these survivors that public court records will not make their personal information available to the criminals who harmed them.”

For more information, please contact Rep. Costa Howard’s constituent service office at RepTCH48@gmail.com.