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AP17:087

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 26, 2017
Contact:
Jesse Melgar or Sam Mahood
(916) 653-6575

Secretary of State Alex Padilla Marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month by Expanding Access to Safe at Home Program

SACRAMENTO – October is Domestic Violence Awareness month, and California Secretary of State Alex Padilla is announcing expansion and enhancements to the state’s Safe at Home confidential address program website.

Click here to visit the new Safe at Home program website

Governor Jerry Brown recently signed SB 597, which was authored by Senator Connie Leyva and sponsored by Secretary of State Padilla, to make victims of human trafficking eligible for Safe at Home. This measure takes effect on January 1, 2018.

“During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we want survivors to know that we’re here to help,” Secretary of State Padilla said. “Our new website makes it easier for victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, stalking, or sexual assault to understand the application process and benefits of the Safe at Home confidential address program. Through Safe at Home, participants can receive mail, open a bank account, register to vote, and fill out government documents confidentially and free from fear. I have made it a priority to expand this program, and making the Safe at Home website more user friendly is a big step forward.”

Founded in 1999, Safe at Home is California’s confidential address program administered by the California Secretary of State’s office. The program, which provides a free post office box and mail forwarding service, is designed to help victims and survivors of domestic violence, stalking or sexual assault to start new lives in peace and to provide added protections to their overall safety plans. The program also helps reproductive health care doctors, nurses, volunteers, and patients.

“California's Safe at Home program will now also help survivors of human trafficking, just as it helps thousands of survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking,” Secretary Padilla said. “With the signing of SB 597, survivors of human trafficking too can receive mail, open a bank account, register to vote, and fill out government documents confidentially and free from fear.”

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