Legal Definitions - safe house

A safe house is a place where people can live under protection, usually in secrecy. It can be used for legal or illegal purposes.

• Shelters for abused spouses and runaway children are safe houses.
• Law enforcement agencies use safe houses for undercover operations and to protect witnesses who have been threatened.
• Criminals may use safe houses to hide from the police or to conduct illegal activities such as drug manufacturing.

These examples illustrate how safe houses can be used for different purposes. They can provide a safe haven for those in need of protection, but they can also be used for criminal activities. It is important to distinguish between legal and illegal uses of safe houses.