Published October 1, 2009
Social Security Domestic Violence Identity Change Petition
Although a survivor of domestic violence may try to “just leave,” some abusers are relentless and continue to pose a lifelong safety threat through stalking and ongoing attacks.
In 1998 the Social Security Administration announced an identity change program that allowed abuse survivors whose lives were at risk to change their social security numbers.
An estimated 1000 desperate abuse survivors turn to this last resort option each year when traditional means of law enforcement fail. No doubt many lives have been saved since this program was developed. But problems with the program are beginning to emerge and must be addressed so that survivors who depend on this life-saving option can remain safe.
DID YOU KNOW THAT....
- It’s often impossible to prosecute stalkers and perpetrators of domestic violence due to lack of admissible evidence?
- If a victim is seen to be in imminent danger and there is insufficient evidence for the courts to intervene, the US Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women advises victims to relocate and change their identity?
- Countless thousands of women in the United States and their children have been assigned second Social Security Numbers and new identities to protect them from perpetrators the United States Government acknowledges it cannot thwart through law enforcement or judicial intervention?
- Both legally assigned Social Security Numbers remain active for a lengthy and poorly supervised transition period?
- Unlike the Witness Protection Program, victims provided a new identity due to domestic violence are provided no formal guidelines and no material support in making the identity transition?
- The US Government provides registrants undocumented and ongoing advice that it refuses to verify?
- There is little to no coordination among federal and state government agencies, and many government agencies lack any knowledge of this protective program or procedures for interacting with its registrants?
- Cooperative registrants in this US federal program have been mistaken as perpetrators of fraud because of their identity status?
- When accused, program registrants have been abandoned and told that they cannot be helped for fear of harming this secretive identity change program?
- One woman has lost custody of her children and another has been prosecuted for fraud by one arm of the government for following the rules of the government's SNN number change program?
- The failings of this program are so grievous that some registrants are appealing to be released from it?
ACT NOW! Sign the petition below asking Lynn Rosenthal, the newly appointed White House Advisor on Violence Against Women to intervene to ensure that this life-saving program keeps victims safe.
Protect Victims in Hiding
Dear Ms. Rosenthal:
It is an unfortunate fact that after all these years traditional means of law enforcement are still not able to protect all victims from abuse. Untold numbers of victims live day to day in imminent danger, pursued by relentless abusers who will not stop until their victim is dead.
Since 1998, when all else has failed, these desperate victims have been able to turn to the Social Security Administration to secure new identities and go into hiding. An estimated 1000 victims turn to this last resort option each year and no doubt many thousands of lives have been saved as a result.
But problems with this program are beginning to emerge that need to be addressed. There appears to be little administrative oversight of this program within the SSA and a lack of needed coordination between this program and other federal and state agencies.
This lack of coordination and oversight has resulted in significant harm to some program participants.
We, the undersigned are writing to ask you to use the power of your office to coordinate needed reforms so that participants in this life-saving program remain safe.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Signatures
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#142
Brittney Hinton, Missouri, on July 15, 2010,
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#141
Melissa Deneen, Michigan, on July 09, 2010,
"Studies show batterers are able to convince authorities that the victim is unfit or undeserving of sole custody in approximately 70% of challenged cases. " (American Judges Association)
"Fathers who batter mothers are 2 times more likely to seek sole physical custody of their children than are non-violent fathers." (APA1996, p. 40.)
I am living this nightmare.
Start protecting the victims instead of the abusers!
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#140
Anonymous, Georgia, on June 29, 2010,
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#139
Anonymous, Florida, on June 27, 2010,
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#138
Petra Zeller, New Jersey, on June 23, 2010,
I am trying to keep me and my son safe from my abusive soon to be ex husband but due to him doing "his homework" I cant get another restraing order please help
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#137
Barbara Ann Stevens, New York, on June 22, 2010,
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#136
Anonymous, Pennsylvania, on June 17, 2010,
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#135
Kenneth Kowren, New York, on June 10, 2010,
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#134
Regan Richardson, Georgia, on June 07, 2010,
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#133
Cindy Gutierrez, Texas, on June 04, 2010,
I thank God for keeping me alive, to see my children grow. I support the ssn new identity, we victims are in high risk! My prayers go to all family violence victims...
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#132
Bob Ramczyk, Wisconsin, on May 29, 2010,
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#131
Shirley Storey, California, on May 20, 2010,
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#130
Anonymous, South Carolina, on May 17, 2010,
Please protect the parents and children in danger.
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#129
Anonymous, Illinois, on May 17, 2010,
i am a victim of domestic violence for 15 years and was taken and placed 1100 miles from him by the state. I am in fear for mine and my childrens lives and I have tried every avenue and have been told there is no help to stay hidden without changing my name and social security numbers. But apparently its not a choice! WHY??? My life and safety arnt imporant. He said the only way I can leave this marriage is in a pine box!!! Please Help. There has to be a way out with my children and my life!!
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#128
Lori Seuffer, Illinois, on May 17, 2010,
I have a friend trying to stay safe and i can't find any help for her no law will help her and her children what are we supposed to do where is the help we need as a country. we are supposed to stand together not apart.
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#127
Nancy Cohen, Vermont, on May 14, 2010,
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#126
Mike Schwartz, New York, on May 12, 2010,
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#125
Elaine Behling, New York, on May 12, 2010,
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#124
Lucille Pollina, New York, on May 12, 2010,
Unfortunately I've seen too many abusers, whether it's physical of metal. This is my kid that was abused. Stand up for your kid
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#123
Joseph Zwiefka, New York, on May 11, 2010,
I strongly support this initiative
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#122
Maria Zwiefka, New York, on May 11, 2010,
How can you allow them to continue to abuse us?? He tried to kill me! Twice! He tried to kill our son while I was still pregnant with him! We can't escape! we get our kids taken from us, our lives taken from us when we do!! For God's Sake DO SOMETHING
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#121
Karen Summers, New York, on May 11, 2010,
We the stalked need your help, the stalking never ends once it begins.....how would you like to live in fear from the mentally ill stalker, please help the victims/targets of evil.......
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#120
Joan Beutler, Connecticut, on May 09, 2010,
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#119
Christinne Fatur, HELP, Ohio, on May 09, 2010,
PLEASE HELP I NEED OUT I NEE D DOCUMENTS CHANGE NAME SOCIAL DRIVERS LICENSE EVERYTHING NOW! I AM IN DANGER!
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#118
Ellen Freeman, New York, on May 08, 2010,
© 2009
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- http://www.sfvo.org/pages/475
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Domestic Violence Identity Change
Since 1998, the Social Security Administration has helped desperate victims who had no place left to turn by providing them with a new social security number. But problems with this program have begun to emerge and must be addressed so that survivors who depend on this last resort option can remain safe.