Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate today (Monday), announced that his office is now accepting applications for people interested in participating in the Safe at Home program. Safe at Home is an address confidentiality program for survivors of domestic violence, sexual abuse, trafficking and stalking.

Pate says “This program is about helping victims of violence become survivors. My office has worked diligently to institute the Safe at Home program in Iowa and we are prepared for the full launch on January 1. I urge anyone who is looking for a way out of an abusive situation, so that they can move forward with their lives, to consider the Safe at Home program.”

Secretary Pate estimates around 150 applicants will sign up for the Safe at Home program within the first six months, and that number will grow to around 500 within the first two years. Pate’s office will work closely with the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault to institute and promote the program.

Iowa joins 33 other states across the country in adopting an address confidentiality program. The Safe at Home bill received unanimous support in both chambers of the Iowa Legislature, and was signed into law by Governor Terry Branstad in May.

To learn more about the Safe at Home program or to register, visit www.SafeatHome.iowa.gov. Applications are also available through state agencies across Iowa, victims’ advocacy groups across the state, and at law enforcement centers.