Brenda Sites is committed to protecting victims of crimes through her work as the program coordinator for Safe at Home, a statewide address confidentiality program.
Over the past decade, the program has allowed Sites and her team to assist at least 4,000 men and women to live without fear of being located by an abuser. The program is geared toward helping victims of domestic violence, stalking, sexual abuse, human trafficking and rape.
"One of the things I always tout about this program is that it is so satisfying to see a state law do exactly what it set out to do - helping survivors to feel safer," Sites said.
In 2007, legislative discussions began taking place about the need for enhanced protection laws for survivors of abuse. In light of these discussions the Secretary of State's Office created the Safe at Home program manager position.
"With a background in social work, this seemed like a perfect fit, to work for a program that could impact the system to help survivors," Sites said. "I learned through my education there are social workers who have a clinical background and there are those who focus on changing the system. And that's where I found my niche."
When Sites first accepted the position, the Legislature was still in the process of passing an address confidentiality law. It was officially enacted Aug. 28, 2007, and that's when Sites and her team went to work.
"We already had a waiting list, so we had to really hit the ground running," she said. "Networking and finding the right contact was key throughout this process."
She said their task was to get anyone involved who would have any level of interaction with victims. The process included training partners at crisis centers, shelters, law enforcement, prosecuting offices and every state agency on how to enroll people in the program.
"The work is wonderful and rewarding but not always easy," Sites said. "Because this program is so far-reaching, it has an effect on every state government agency."
For Sites, the light at the end of the tunnel shines in the midst of the chaos when the staff receives a thank-you note.
"It is really rewarding when we are able to hear from somebody who feels the program made a difference," she said.
In addition to her work with Safe at Home, she sits on the advisory council for the Department of Public Safety's Crime Victims Services Unit, is a member of the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, and is a founding member of the national Organization for Confidential Address Programs.
"A lot of my involvement comes down to my family, my faith and my passion to maybe make this world a little bit of a better place," Sites said.