New York law gives trafficking victims fake address option

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York’s governor has approved a law allowing human trafficking victims to hide their address from offenders.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the measure on Thursday. He says it will protect survivors from “further abuse” by shielding their addresses from public view.

The law takes effect in 90 days and also applies to victims of stalking and sexual offenses. Those victims can use a substitute address from the New York’s Department of State instead of their work or home address.

Cuomo’s office says domestic violence victims were previously the only survivors eligible for the department’s confidential address program.

State Sen. Julia Salazar of Brooklyn says the law will stop future physical violence and emotional harm. The Democrat says it provides victims “the peace of mind they need and deserve.”