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Executive Director at the NHCADSV Lyn Schollett told News9 that investigations like these rely on reporting abuse.
"It's absolutely critical that reports are made in cases like this," Schollett said. "Child sex abuse usually happens in secrecy and in silence. In fact, offenders count on instilling fear in children to prevent them from reporting," she said. "It's important for everyone to know that you don't need proof to make a report," Schollett added. "If you have a reasonable concern. Let trained professionals investigate a case like this, and crisis centers can help a family navigate that reporting process," she said. "Offenders who are seeking to harm children seek employment and volunteer opportunities like a babysitter, like a nursing assistant, where they have access to children," Schollett said. "So again, another reason for us to be concerned and sadly not surprised by this outcome," she added. If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual abuse, you can call the coalition's free, confidential help line - available to families 24 hours a day. That number is (866)-644-3574. WMUR July 29, 2026 New Hampshire has taken a step toward strengthening protections for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault while cracking down on sex trafficking after Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed a bipartisan package of bills into law last week.
“Supporting victims of crime has long been a bipartisan priority in New Hampshire,” said Amanda Grady Sexton, director of public affairs at the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. “These new laws build on that strong tradition by removing barriers survivors have faced and making sure our laws better reflect the realities of victimization.” Concord Monitor July 14, 2026 New charges against registered sex offender stir up painful memories for family of previous victim5/26/2026
Advocates said the case underscores concerns about repeat offenders and how information is shared between agencies.
"We need the decision-makers, whether that's a judge in an individual case or a parole board member, to know the full range of violent conduct that the person in front of them has committed in the past," said Lyn Schollett, of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. WMUR May 22, 2026 Lyn Schollett, executive director of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, said the review must serve as a starting point.
"[Fuentes] could see what was happening here,” Schollett said. “We need the police and the courts to fully appreciate that this pattern is escalating, and if we don’t document it and intervene, more victims will die." WMUR May 20, 2026 Officer fired for ‘glaring failure’ in basic policing before N.H. domestic violence murder-suicide5/20/2026
Fuentes Huaracha did everything society asks survivors to do in these situations, according to the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. She reported the assault, sought help, and successfully persuaded a judge to issue a protective order. But the system still failed to keep her safe.
Boston Globe May 18, 2026 Berlin police internal review finds ‘glaring failure’ in response before domestic violence homicide5/20/2026
The internal investigation released Friday called the handling of the welfare check on Gleason a “glaring failure,” one of several missteps by the police department that culminated in the murder and suicide on July 6.
Lyn Schollett, executive director of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic, and Sexual Violence, said calls like this must be treated with the highest level of urgency. “A victim’s life should never ever depend on whether one individual officer connects the dots in real time,” she said. “We are all left wondering, what if someone else had known that this phone call was so inadequate? Would Marisol be alive today?” Concord Monitor May 18, 2026 Meanwhile, a bill that would compel the department to more regularly report to victims the status of restitution cases has been moving quickly through the Legislature during this session.
The Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence backed this legislation along with past and present victim witness advocates from Hillsborough County. Pamela Keilig with the coalition said this law hasn’t been updated in 30 years, and these changes are consistent with “best practices” adopted in other states including Maine and Pennsylvania. Union Leader April 19, 2026 Lyn Schollett, executive director of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, urged support, noting 12 states have judges identified in evaluations and other states do it through state bar associations.
She repeated Lynn’s assessment that the caliber of judicial work in New Hampshire is high. The evaluations don’t look at case outcomes but rather a judge’s impartiality, temperament and the clarity of his or her decisions, Schollett said. “I have seen traumatizing harm that ineffective judges can have,” Schollett added. Union Leader April 7, 2026 The bill’s backers, who include Rep. Bob Lynn of Windham, a former chief justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court, and Lyn Schollett, executive director of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, said the new requirements could improve judicial performance.
“I have seen the traumatizing harm that ineffective judges can have,” Schollett said, noting that a dozen states make judicial evaluations public by law, while others disclose them though state bar associations. NHPR April 7, 2026 NH House Tables Bill That Would Place Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence UNder 91-A3/12/2026
The Coalition has said public records requirements would put confidential information about its clients at risk and that that would jeopardize its federal grant funding.
In a statement after the vote, the Coalition’s public affairs director, Amanda Grady Sexton, said Gov. Kelly Ayotte had indicated she would veto the bill if it passed. “Her commitment sent a powerful message that the safety and privacy of victims must always be protected,” Grady Sexton said. Concord Monitor March 11, 2026 |
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The 12 member programs of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence provide services to all victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence, human trafficking, stalking, and child abuse.
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This website is supported by the Victims of Crime Act, Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, and the Violence Against Women Act, as well as other grants to state domestic and sexual violence coalitions. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the above-mentioned funders.
New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
PO Box 353, Concord, NH 03302-0353
(603) 224-8893
PO Box 353, Concord, NH 03302-0353
(603) 224-8893
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