Pate meets with Linn County law enforcement on domestic violence initiative

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate met with Linn County law enforcement today on the topic of domestic violence.

Pate met with the Linn County Sheriff and area police chiefs to talk about resources and help for people in abusive relationships. His office runs the Safe at Home program. It provides protection for survivors of domestic violence, sexual abuse, and stalking, giving victims the ability to keep their information confidential, like their mailing address, driver’s license info, and other forms of identity.

The connection to Pate’s better-known duties as Iowa’s chief elections officer has to do with voter registration, which is a public record.

”My office got involved because of voter registration, and to register to vote your home address is public information. And that’s certainly not a great invitation to encourage you to be a voter knowing someone can look up your address,” Pate said. “And that could cause you anguish or physical harm.”

Right now, the program is helping around 1,000 people in 69 counties. Pate said a simple program like this can empower those victims.

“I wish there were none, but until we can get this under control this to me is a great tool to allow these people to come out from the shadows to be part of the community again.”

The program is timely for the local area, as Cedar Rapids Police reported a 17% increase in domestic abuse through the end of August 2021.

People interested can sign up for the program online and find out more information through the state’s website.

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