Iowans who’ve been the victims of stalking, domestic violence or sexual abuse may now submit an application online for a new legal address, so they can keep their new home address a secret. The website went live this week, and Secretary of State Paul Pate says his office will start issuing I-D cards to victims on January 1st under the state’s new “Safe at Home” program…..
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The state-issued drivers licenses and I-D cards for these victims will list a street address devised by the U.S. Postal Service, but former abusers won’t be able to use it to find their victims. Some addresses will be in the middle of a river, for example, but it will be the new legal address a victim may use for any activity that requires someone to give their physical address, like applying for jobs, enrolling in school or banking. Iowa is joining 33 other states that already have this kind of a program….
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Go to the Secretary of States website to find a link where victims can apply for a confidential legal address. Iowans can seek a confidential legal address if they have taken some kind of legal action against an abuser. That includes filing charges or offering testimony against an abuser in court.