October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Domestic Violence Awareness Month begins Oct. 1.

"The Secretary of State's Safe at Home program helps protect survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking from their abusers," said Secretary of State Debra Bowen. "Since its inception nine years ago, the Safe at Home confidential address program has helped more than 3,700 families start new lives free of fear.

"Safe at Home staff work with dozens of enrolling agencies in every corner of the state, from county district attorneys' offices to health clinics and women's shelters, to protect the identities of eligible program participants through confidential mail forwarding, voter registration and more."

As a legislator, Bowen has written legislation intended to keep Californians safe from domestic violence. Senate Bill 1062 added sexual assault victims to the list of eligible Safe at Home participants, and SB 1743 made it possible for Safe at Home participants to obtain confidential name changes without having their requests published in local newspapers.