Victims of Sexual Assault Can Protect Themselves by Protecting Their Address with the Secretary of State’s Safe at Home Address Confidentiality Program

Victims of Sexual Assault Can Protect Themselves by Protecting Their Address with the Secretary of State’s Safe at Home Address Confidentiality Program

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – On Sexual Assault Awareness Month Day of Action, Secretary of State Tre Hargett encourages any Tennessean who has experienced sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking or domestic abuse to protect their address and protect themselves with the Safe at Home address confidentiality program.  

“Protecting your address is an important step for victims to take in order to keep themselves and their families safe,” said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “There are more than 600 active participants in the Safe at Home program. This free program is available for Tennesseans who’ve been a victim of sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking or domestic abuse.”

Safe at Home, which launched on March 1, 2019, prevents abusers from locating their victims through public records by providing approved applicants a substitute address that may be used for legal purposes, including voter registration and government services such as a driver’s license and access to assistance programs.

Under current Tennessee law, most state and local government records are available for public review. These public records, which include home addresses and other identifying information, can make it easy for abusers to track and find their victims.

Safe at Home participants are issued a substitute address they can use anytime they interact with state and local government or anyone who could potentially make their home address part of the public record. This substitute address can be used by anyone in the household, including children, elderly parents and new spouses. 

Participants must complete an application with one of our partner agencies.  Each partner agency has certified application assistants to guide participants through enrollment. 

Safe at Home has partner agencies serving all 95 counties in Tennessee.  Partner agencies include state and local agencies and nonprofit organizations that provide counseling and shelter services to victims of domestic abuse and other crimes. A list of partnering agencies is available at SafeAtHomeTN.com.

For more information about the Safe at Home program, participant eligibility or becoming a partner agency, visit SafeAtHomeTN.com or call 615-253-3043.