Secretary of State Michael Adams announced that participation in Kentucky’s Safe at Home program increased 460 percent in the first year since the General Assembly expanded the program at his request.

“I am grateful to our state legislators for joining forces across party lines to protect our most vulnerable Kentucky citizens,” Adams said. “Our office is working to end the scourge of domestic violence.”

Senate Bill 79 (2023), sponsored by Sen. Julie Raque Adams, R-Louisville (no relation to Secretary Adams), expanded the Commonwealth’s Address Confidentiality Program, allowing participants to redact their addresses in all state and local public records, including voter rolls. The program removed the protective order requirement and expanded interstate reciprocity, opening the program to more participants.

“I am grateful to Secretary Adams for his diligence in successfully implementing this important program that helps victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and human trafficking feel safe in their own homes,” said Senator Adams.

Secretary Adams announced the increase in participation during a tour of the Center for Women and Families in Louisville, which serves more than 5,000 victims of domestic violence and rape each year.

“As an advocate and leader of the Center for Women and Families, I am grateful to Senator Julie Raque Adams for her vision and determination to take another important step to protect victims of domestic violence in Kentucky,” said Elizabeth Martin, President and CEO of the Center for Women and Families. “The Center for Women and Families can help victims keep their mailing addresses confidential. This is made possible by the great work Secretary Michael Adams and his office are doing to ensure all victims of domestic violence are aware of the Safe at Home program. Previously, many victims had to forgo receiving mail, which often contained personal documents, for fear that their abuser would be able to track them down. With the Safe at Home program, victims can now receive their mail and exercise their right to vote safely by keeping their addresses hidden from publicly available voter rolls.”