Indiana launches program to help victims with protective orders through a "Hope Card"

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller made a stop in Fort Wayne Wednesday to promote the new Hope Card.

The Hope Card is a statewide program to help law enforcement quickly identify and take action against someone who violates a protective order.  The card is the size of a driver’s license.

“It’s just such a burden to have to carry around a huge stack of papers just to feel protected,” said Michelle Bumgarner, domestic violence advocate for the Indiana Attorney General Office.

Bumgarner initiated the program, making Indiana the third state to start the program. The card works to supplement abuse victims whenever an abuser violates a protective order, the victim presents the card to police and they run it as if they’re running information off your driver’s license.

“We expect between 10,000 to 12,000 people will be able to benefit this over the first two years,” said Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller.

Verizon Wireless paid $30,000 to start the program, being the first state to rely solely on private grants for funding.

The Hope Card will feature victim information and data on the abuser including their photo, gender, race, date of birth, height, weight and identifying marks.

Zoeller said Hope Cards will be free to those who apply and meet minimum requirements set by the state. Only those under protective orders for a year or longer for domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, will be eligible to participate in the program.

For more information on how to apply, click here .