<![CDATA[New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence

<![CDATA[New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence - News]]>Wed, 14 Oct 2026 07:48:00 -0700EditMySite<![CDATA[Sexual therapist’s assault trial – pending since 2021 – delayed for third time]]>Tue, 13 Oct 2026 14:27:43 GMThttps://www.nhcadsv.org/news/sexual-therapists-assault-trial-pending-since-2021-delayed-for-third-timeDelayed cases are a "hugely significant issue for victims in New Hampshire,” said Amanda Grady Sexton, director of public affairs for the NH Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. While defendants have constitutional rights to a speedy trial, victims don’t have the same rights, Grady Sexton noted.

For victims like Sitomer, having a case stretch out for dozens of hearings over many years takes an emotional toll, said Grady Sexton.

“Each scheduled hearing or trial date requires a victim to prepare to relive the trauma, arrange time away from work or school, and reorganize their life, only to learn that the case has been postponed again,” Grady Sexton said.

Granite State News Collaborative
October 12, 2026

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]]><![CDATA[Students at Rivier University say they're shocked by sexual assault allegations]]>Tue, 13 Oct 2026 14:23:10 GMThttps://www.nhcadsv.org/news/students-at-rivier-university-say-theyre-shocked-by-sexual-assault-allegations"I think a really important thing to remember is that, if you have gone through or experienced sexual assault or other forms of violence, you are not alone," said Pamela Keilig of the Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence.

Keilig said survivors have options for getting help.

"There are certain resources and services that should be made available or are available on college campuses and university campuses in New Hampshire, including safe housing, academic support, confidential advocacy and protection from retaliation," Keilig said.

WMUR
October 9, 2026

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]]><![CDATA[In wake of high-profile death, new report on domestic violence in NH proposes changes]]>Thu, 08 Oct 2026 17:57:29 GMThttps://www.nhcadsv.org/news/in-wake-of-high-profile-death-new-report-on-domestic-violence-in-nh-proposes-changes“This report creates hope that systems will change to intervene in domestic violence situations sooner, both to protect victims and to hold offenders accountable,” Lyn Schollett, executive director of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, said. “This report demonstrates a true commitment by a wide range of professionals to do things differently, and that’s groundbreaking.”

NH Bulletin
October 6, 2026

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]]><![CDATA[Nurses undergo specialized training to help survivors of sexual assault]]>Tue, 06 Oct 2026 22:16:41 GMThttps://www.nhcadsv.org/news/nurses-undergo-specialized-training-to-help-survivors-of-sexual-assault"Most of these patients, the first contact they're having with the system after their sexual assault is presenting to the hospital to receive medical care," said Meghan Jenks, assistant director of the SANE program.

The SANE program has been around since the 1990s. It's run by the state's Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, offering 30 to 40 nurses per year in-depth training on how to give the often hours-long exams with compassion, understanding the traumatic situation.

"The great thing about the exam is it's really up to the survivor to guide, based on what they're comfortable with and what the facts of their case are," Jenks said.

WMUR
October 6, 2026

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]]><![CDATA[NH Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee outlines recommendations in new report]]>Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:22:56 GMThttps://www.nhcadsv.org/news/nh-domestic-violence-fatality-review-committee-outlines-recommendations-in-new-report"Domestic violence homicides are preventable," Lyn Schollett, executive director of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, said.

The New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence helped develop the recommendations as part of the fatality review committee. Among its 11 recommendations, the report also calls for more training around protective-order violations and appropriate charges.

"When a victim has a protective order, they have already gone to court to ask for help. And the court has already found that they deserve it. They shouldn't have to fight to have that order enforced," Schollett said.

WMUR
October 5, 2026

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]]><![CDATA[N.H. panel calls for better statewide response to prevent domestic violence killings]]>Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:18:24 GMThttps://www.nhcadsv.org/news/nh-panel-calls-for-better-statewide-response-to-prevent-domestic-violence-killingsBetter training for police officers, stronger accountability for offenders and a more responsive court system are a few of the areas New Hampshire should focus on to prevent domestic violence killings, according to a new report.

These recommendations come from the first report by the state’s domestic violence fatality review committee, which was created by law in 2025 after the murder of Marisol Fuentes-Huaracha, 25, in Berlin.

“Judges make decisions every day that affect whether a victim is safe,” said Amanda Grady Sexton, one of the committee members. “They need reliable tools to help them recognize patterns of abuse and the risk of serious or lethal violence, whether they are hearing a criminal case or a request for a protective order.”

Concord Monitor
October 5, 2026

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]]><![CDATA[UNH officials say rise in reported rape cases could show more survivors are coming forward]]>Mon, 05 Oct 2026 12:51:22 GMThttps://www.nhcadsv.org/news/unh-officials-say-rise-in-reported-rape-cases-could-show-more-survivors-are-coming-forwardUNH offers resources through its SHARPP Center for Interpersonal Violence Awareness, Prevention and Advocacy on campus and partners with the state's Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence to help victims navigate what follows after making a report.

"An advocate can help walk a survivor through what each of those are going to look like and what their options are," said Emily Provencher, prevention and child welfare specialist.

Those services are available 24/7 and offer a confidential advocate who helps survivors explore their next steps, such as filing a criminal or Title IX complaint or doing nothing at all. Provencher said they're trained to offer the support a survivor needs.

"They're going to center everything on what you want and what works best for you," she said.

WMUR
October 2, 2026

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]]><![CDATA[Criminal charges expected in Bow spa investigation]]>Thu, 10 Sep 2026 16:30:32 GMThttps://www.nhcadsv.org/news/criminal-charges-expected-in-bow-spa-investigationThe New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence says common signs of an illicit massage business could be anything from covered windows and signs, unusual hours, or entering the business through a separate entrance.

"The underlying goal is to remove the anonymity that these businesses benefit from and to bring those business operators into plain sight, so we can hold the correct people accountable," Program Director Meg Chant said.

Chant says it's good to see the continued progress against potential illicit massage businesses from state and national investigators.

WMUR
September 9, 2026

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]]><![CDATA[Three bipartisan bills related to protecting victims celebrated in concord]]>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 13:10:30 GMThttps://www.nhcadsv.org/news/three-bipartisan-bills-related-to-protecting-victims-celebrated-in-concord“New Hampshire has a long tradition of leading the nation in passing strong, meaningful laws that support victims, hold offenders accountable, and strengthen public safety,” said Amanda Grady Sexton, director of public affairs at the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. “The legislation signed into law this year will make a meaningful difference in the lives of victims and survivors and help make New Hampshire safer for everyone.”

InDepth
August 17, 2026

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]]><![CDATA[AYotte celebrates new protections for abuse survivors ahead of reelection bid]]>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 13:04:26 GMThttps://www.nhcadsv.org/news/ayotte-celebrates-new-protections-for-abuse-survivors-ahead-of-reelection-bid“These laws will benefit countless victims in the future, and will advance their healing and their search for justice,” said Lyn Schollett, executive director of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence.

“It takes survivors, legislators, community members, volunteers, board members, and crisis center directors working together to make these changes a reality. No one does this work alone."

Concord Monitor
August 17, 2026

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