By: PCB Law Firm
Most of us know that a simple Google search of a person’s name can produce hundreds of results, results that may show that person’s home address. What happens when someone who is a victim of domestic violence, rape, stalking, or sexual assault does not want their whereabouts known? What if someone fears for their safety?
In 2007, Missouri enacted the Safe at Home Program, which aims to protect a physical address of the victim, their children, and individuals residing with them. The program allows individuals to apply for a substitute address. In other words, a person who is concerned for their safety can use a substitute address for governmental documents, school records, court records, and law enforcement records. Mailings are sent to the substitute address, and are then forwarded to an individual’s confidential address. The confidential address is for a current physical address only; it does not protect addresses already on the world wide web or previously printed information.
Participants in the Safe At Home program are given authorization cards to prove their involvement in the program. The initial participation period in the program is four years. Participants fill out an application and have a meeting with an application assistant. The completed application is then sent to the Safe at Home office for review and approval. If approved, applicants receive a letter verifying enrollment along with a Safe at Home authorization card.
For questions about this program or other concerns about domestic violence issues, please call one of the family law attorneys at Paule, Camazine & Blumenthal, P.C.