Keep Domestic Violence Victims in HUD Housing Safe from their Abusers

KEEP DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS IN HUD HOUSING SAFE FROM THEIR ABUSERS -- (Extensions of Remarks - May 26, 2005)

SPEECH OF
HON. GWEN MOORE
OF WISCONSIN
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2005

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Safe Housing Identification Exemption for the Lives of Domestic Violence Victims (SHIELD) Act.

Mr. Speaker, I know of the victims that have finally built up the courage to leave their abusive relationships and have nowhere to go but a homeless shelter. I know of the women who everyday are scared for their lives because their abusers are trying to track them down.

Mr. Speaker, I know of the victims who want to feel safe, who want to believe that these federal agencies and services are there to protect them. And, ultimately all of our federal services are intended to effectively serve and protect our citizens.

But, I also know of the victims who are scared that they can be tracked down by their predators and probably would not seek housing assistance if they knew about the HUD requirement to disclose their personal information and location. All HUD homeless shelters and food banks, domestic violence centers and transitional housing receiving McKinney-Vento Funds are required to input personal identifying data into the Homeless Management Information System Database. This tracking database requires personal identifying information including names, Social Security numbers, date of birth, race and ethnicity. This personal information database can be easily accessed by personnel working in state, local and federal agencies.

Mr. Speaker, I am thinking of the victims whose abusers readily have access to this personal information. These abusers may work in one of these agencies or have the ability to access this database. All they would have to do is type in the victim's name or other identifying pieces of information and they would immediately know where the victim is staying or the domestic violence shelter they visited. A loophole like this is far too detrimental to their safety and could put many victims of domestic violence in further danger.

In order to address this problem, I have introduced the SHIELD Act along with my colleague from Florida, KATHERINE HARRIS. This bill would require any agency participating in the Homeless Management Information System to exclude personal identifying information of victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Instead the legislation recommends the use of nonpersonal identifying information for data collection and statistical purposes.

Reaching out for assistance is already a big step for many victims of domestic violence. We should not put them in greater danger or deter them from seeking these valuable services because of an agency loophole. I urge my colleagues to join me in cosponsoring the SHIELD Act.

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