The first people have signed up for a new program protecting them from stalkers and abusers.

The Safe at Home program lets victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse, or stalking have their mail sent to the Secretary of State’s office which then will forward it to them at an address they want to keep secret from the person who would harm them. The program went into effect about six weeks ago.

The program is designed to keep abusers and stalkers from learning where they live by checking public records.

Secretary of State Robin Carnahan says the program will help people who really do fear for their safety. She doesn’t think 75,000 people will sign up for. But she does think a number of people can benefit.

Only first-class mail is forwarded. Junk mail is junked. The program is starting small. Carnahan has only one person who’s doing training sessions and doing the internal system setups to make sure the program operates correctly.

It’s not a witness protection program. Those programs are for much more serious situations. But she says this program is for someone facing a real threat who thinks they can be safer by having personal information about where they live protected.

The program means a five-to-seven day delay in delivery of mail….Supporters say that’s a small price to pay for being safe…at home.

 

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