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AP18:028
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 13, 2018
CONTACT:
SOS Press Office
(916) 653-6575
Victims of Human Trafficking Eligible to Apply for Safe at Home Confidential Address Program
SACRAMENTO – California Secretary of State Alex Padilla announced the expansion of California’s Safe at Home confidential address program to serve victims of human trafficking, as well as the household members of all program applicants. As part of the program’s expansion, the Secretary of State has updated the program’s website, informational materials, and enrollment forms. New online tools will make it easier for prospective participants to find and access resources through a new map feature.
Click here to visit the Safe at Home program website
“The Safe at Home program can help victims better their lives with greater peace of mind,” Secretary of State Alex Padilla said. “Participants can receive mail, open a bank account, register to vote, and fill out government documents confidentially. While many may take these day to day activities for granted, the Safe at Home allows victims to complete them free from fear. I have made it a priority to expand this program, and I’m proud that we are now serving victims of human trafficking and the household members of all applicants. A more user friendly website, clearer enrolling forms will help more victims receive the benefits of this program.”
In 2017, Governor Jerry Brown signed SB 597—authored by Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino) and sponsored by Secretary of State Padilla—making victims of human trafficking eligible for the Safe at Home program. SB 597 also makes household members of all Safe at Home applicants eligible to enroll in the program.
“As the author of SB 597 that was signed into law last year, I appreciated partnering with Secretary of State Alex Padilla on the expansion of the ‘Safe at Home’ program,” Senator Connie M. Leyva said. “All Californians deserve to live their lives free from fear and—thanks to the Secretary of State’s ‘Safe at Home’ program—survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and now human trafficking can access important resources and services. I look forward to further publicizing the services provided by this important program so it may continue to protect even more survivors and allow them to move forward in their lives without constant fear or worry.”
Established 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 P. O. Box and mail forwarding service, is designed to help victims and survivors of domestic violence, stalking or sexual assault start new lives in peace and to provide added protections to their overall safety plans. The program also serves reproductive health care doctors, nurses, volunteers, and patients.
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