Hello. This is Cheongchul Law Firm.
When a victim of stalking or sexual crime decides to file a civil lawsuit against the perpetrator, one of the biggest obstacles is the fear of 'exposing my address'. This is because if a lawsuit is filed, the complaint containing my name and address is delivered directly to the perpetrator. In order to prevent secondary damage from this, the legal system has been newly organized.
In today's post, I will summarize the legal mechanisms to protect the personal information of victims in civil lawsuits, the new protective measures that will be implemented starting July 2025, and the specific methods for conducting lawsuits without exposing the address.
In today's post, I will summarize the legal mechanisms to protect the personal information of victims in civil lawsuits, the new protective measures that will be implemented starting July 2025, and the specific methods for conducting lawsuits without exposing the address.
[Table of Contents]
If I file a lawsuit against the perpetrator, will my address be made public? (Risk of secondary damage)
Effective July 2025: Protective measures for the personal information of civil lawsuit victims
How to apply for non-disclosure of personal information and the items affected
Solutions to prevent address exposure through attorney appointment and electronic lawsuits
1. If I file a lawsuit against the perpetrator, will my address be made public?
Yes, under the current lawsuit structure, that is the case. Civil lawsuits involve a system where the name and address of the plaintiff inscribed in the complaint are delivered to the defendant (perpetrator) as is. Because of this, victims of stalking or sexual crimes have been exposed to the risk of secondary damage with the fear that the perpetrator will find out their residence and commit retaliatory crimes.
2. Effective July 2025: Protective measures for the personal information of civil lawsuit victims
To alleviate the anxiety of these victims, the law has been amended. Starting from July 2025, if victims apply, the court will be able to provide protective measures to conceal names, addresses, contact information, etc., based on Article 163 of the Civil Procedure Act.
Now, not only the delivery of the complaint, but also in the process where the perpetrator reviews or copies the lawsuit records, the personal information of the victim can be thoroughly concealed to prevent exposure.
3. How to apply for non-disclosure of personal information and the items affected
To receive personal information protection measures, victims must directly apply to the court.
Application method: You must prove that there is a concern for danger to your life or bodily integrity. Along with documentation proving the stalking behavior of the other party or any punitive actions taken, you can submit in writing the items you wish to have protected.
Items eligible for non-disclosure: You can specify and be protected regarding your address, resident registration number, phone number, fax number, email address, etc.
4. Solutions to prevent address exposure through attorney appointment and electronic lawsuits
If you are before the implementation of the system or want more secure protection, you can use the following methods.
Attorney appointment: If you appoint an attorney, you can provide the office address of the attorney representing the lawsuit instead of the victim's actual address in the complaint. All lawsuit documents will be delivered to the attorney’s office, so the perpetrator cannot know the victim’s residence.
Using electronic lawsuits: By utilizing electronic lawsuits, you can review lawsuit records online as files without paper documents moving to the actual address, minimizing the risk of address exposure while proceeding with the lawsuit.
Accountability for the perpetrator and the safety of the victim must be the top priority. If you are hesitating to exercise your legitimate rights due to fear of retaliation, please reach out to Cheongchul Law Firm. We prioritize the protection of the victim's personal information and mobilize all legal means to completely eliminate any potential secondary damage during the litigation process.
Safe litigation without concerns about personal exposure, Cheongchul Law Firm will be a reliable supporter for you.
This post is written for the purpose of providing legal information and may vary based on specific circumstances.
