ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. — A state program that protects survivors of domestic violence is being well utilized by shelters across Kentucky, according to the secretary of state’s office.

What You Need To Know

  • The Safe at Home Act has helped more than 100 people since becoming law in 2023, according to the Kentucky Secretary of State's office

  • This law shields survivors' information from pubilc databases and voter rolls

  • Such protections also no longer require a court order to be granted

  • Shelters like SpringHaven in Elizabethtown have taken advantage of this new law to better protect those in its care 

Unanimously passed by the legislature last year, the Safe at Home Act allows survivors to hide their addresses from publicly available databases and voter rolls. 

It also eliminates the requirement of a court order to participate. 

The secretary of state’s office reports more than 100 people have taken advantage of this program since becoming law last year. Secretary of State Michael Adams, R-Ky., also believes the Safe at Home Act will grow in usage in the coming years. 

“We knew that these folks were out there suffering and they weren’t getting any help. We are actually at the top of the country in rates of child abuse, domestic violence, and so we’re trying to address those statistics. And part of that is offering protections to the people who qualify,” Adams said.

Georgia Hensley is the CEO and executive director of the SpringHaven Domestic Violence Program in Elizabethtown. SpringHaven is the sole shelter serving the city and seven surrounding counties. (Spectrum News 1/Mason Brighton)

Georgia Hensley, executive director and CEO of SpringHaven Domestic Violence Program in Elizabethtown, says this law is very beneficial to the work her shelter and others in the state do every day. 

SpringHaven is the lone shelter serving the city and seven surrounding counties. 

“It’s almost like a cheat code,” Hensley said.

In most cases, Hensley says they recommend their clients take part in the Safe at Home Act.

“So what this act did is allow us to protect those people who recognize that our system is so broken and they should still be able to be safe without being wrapped up in that system,” Hensley explained.

She adds this keeps program abusers and other bad actors from finding survivors. It also helps keep the address of their shelter private.

“Having the ability to go through an online application, fill out a statement and protect a survivor with one step, that’s huge,” Hensley said.

SpringHaven’s crisis hotline is staffed 24-7 for anyone in need. It can be reached at (270) 769-1234.

More information about the Safe at Home Act can be found on the Kentucky secretary of state’s website.

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