Senator Lee Zeldin Announces Passage of his Legislation to Protect the Confidentiality of Sexual Violence Victims

Albany, N.Y. – New York State Senator Lee M. Zeldin (R, C, I- Shirley) announced the passage of his legislation today to help protect the confidentiality of victims of sexual violence.

The bill (S.4073B), which will allow victims of sexual violence to have their voter records sealed in order to protect them from their attacker, passed the State Senate today with bi-partisan support and will now be delivered to the Assembly for consideration. The bill in the Assembly is being sponsored by Assemblyman Gabryszak (D-Cheektowaga).

“Victims of sexual violence go through what some of us could not even imagine,” said Senator Zeldin. “Possibly the worst of these burdens is living with the fear that their attacker may one day return. With the passage of this legislation, we can help ensure that the privacy and identity of the victims of these heinous crimes is protected.”

Under current law, victims of domestic violence may have their voter records sealed by petitioning the Supreme Court in the county in which they are registered to vote. S.4073 will close the gap in the law by extending the same protections to victims of sexual violence who are not already granted anonymity.

“Sexual violence victims should not have to live with the fear that by simply going to vote, they may be opening the door to another attack,” concluded Zeldin.