A new Idaho law that goes into effect Sunday will help protect victims of domestic violence and sexual assault by allowing their addresses to be kept out of public records.

Moscow Rep. Shirley Ringo (pictured at left) introduced the legislation during the 2008 session after meeting a woman who had moved to Idaho from Washington state in an attempt to keep her location hidden from a former business partner. Based on that case and others like it, the bill passed unanimously through both the House and Senate.

For someone to take part in the new system, they must first obtain an order of protection after a judicial hearing, or they can get a certification from a prosecutor stating the person has been a victim of domestic violence, sexual abuse, rape, malicious harassment or stalking. (AP)