Contributed Photo: Secretary Fontes joined his staff to commemorate ‘Denim Day’ to demonstrate his continued support for victims of sexual abuse. Run by his office, the Address Confidentiality Program helps protect over 900 Arizona families from being located by their predators through public records.
PHOENIX—Secretary Adrian Fontes continued his efforts to draw attention to Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) by participating in “Denim Day” to show his solidarity with victims of sexual abuse.
Joining Secretary Fontes to mark the occasion were members of his staff, including those working for the Address Confidentiality Program (ACP), which helps protect victims from being located by their predators through public records searches. A vital program to help those suffering from sexual abuse, assault, and stalking, ACP currently is protecting over 900 families across Arizona by keeping their addresses confidential.
“A big part of my job is to protect victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence from their stalkers and their predators by running the Address Confidentiality Program,” Secretary Fontes said. “However, some of that funding is running out. I am calling on members of the State Legislature and other governmental partners, from both political parties, to join me in securing a stable source of funding for a program that hundreds of families can rely on to keep them safe from harm.”
A large part of the funding for ACP has been provided through federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant money from the Department of Public Safety. However, this funding is being significantly reduced, with a 60 percent reduction in DPS-administered VOCA grant money in Fiscal Year 2024.
To help offset those cuts, Secretary Fontes is requesting $250,000 in stable ongoing funding to continue the vital work of ACP and to keep Arizona’s promise to victims.
Earlier this month, Secretary Fontes joined members of staff in marking the SAAM Day of Action—also known as “Wear Teal Day”— as part of a month-long campaign in support of victims of sexual violence.
