Adressesperring som hjelpetiltak for voldsofre

Abstract

This article discusses results from an evaluation of confidential address tactics. Confidential addresses can be assigned to women and children who have been victims of domestic violence and cannot be protected in other ways. The evaluation shows that the most severe consequence of having a confidential address is social isolation since victims always have to be extremely cautious in order not to reveal their home locations. This not only limits a victim’s ability to keep contact with family and friends, but also her possibilities for establishing new social contacts. Life as a ‘secret citizen’ invokes a series of challenges because the use of public services and participation in the workforce generally require openness about personal information such as name and area of residence. The study further reveals great differences between those who benefit from having a confidential address and those who don’t. The former include women without children and women whose jobs provide financial independence. Women who have children with the perpetrator benefit less since they have to relate to the father through the children.