LOUISVILLE, Ky. — This week marks six months since Kentucky's 'Safe at Home' act took effect, expanding address protections for survivors of domestic violence and making it easier to hide their addresses.
For several years, survivors in the Commonwealth have had the option to take their addresses off public voter rolls, helping keep them safe from abusers. But Secretary of State Michael Adams (R) said the policy was too limited to do much good.
"But that wasn't enough, and we found only 31 people had even used that program in the prior decade," Adams said.
During the last legislative session, Adams' office advocated for the 'Safe at Home' Act, which passed earlier this year. It took effect six months ago.
"We've actually seen membership in this program nearly triple," Adams said of the response so far.
The legislation addresses three main barriers for survivors that existed with the prior regulations.
It expanded address protections across public records, rather than just masking addresses from voter rolls, allowing survivors to replace their address with that of the Secretary of State's office. It established reciprocity with other states with similar programs, making it easier to transfer protections when moving. And it removed a requirement that survivors have an emergency protective order to qualify.
"A lot of folks in that situation, they don't want to hire a lawyer and go to court, they don't want to have to face their abuser in a courtroom, and sometimes they don't even know who is stalking them," Adams said.
Elizabeth Martin, president of Louisville's Center for Women and Families, said many survivors struggle with trust, discouraging them from registering to vote out of fear their addresses will be public. Being able to do that safely, and start living a more public life, is crucial.
"If having them be able to get their important documents and be able to get jobs, get the things they need and move towards independence, then that's another win," she said of the 'Safe at Home' act.
The Center can shelter around 80 survivors at a time. Martin said those are 80 people who may not know about the protections now available to them.
"My ultimate vision is that those who leave us complete these packets and have these addresses," Martin said.
Six months in, Adams says 55 people are now protecting their addresses, tripling program membership from where it stood before.
He pointed out that Kentucky has one of the highest rates of domestic violence in the country, and said this very public push for private protection is far from over.
"It's a program I wish didn't have to exist, but I think we'll go from 55 into the hundreds and eventually thousands," he said of participation.
Adams said his office is also working to train application assistants within existing organizations that serve survivors, so they can help register new participants.
If you need address protection, the application for the 'Safe at Home' program can be found on the Secretary of State's website.
If you or someone you know needs help, call the Center for Women and Families' hotline at 844-237-2331 any time.
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