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Suspect in Manchester Stabbing Arrested at Gas Station With Blood on Clothes, Affidavit Says6/20/2023
The court documents had interviews with neighbors of the victim who said they heard yelling and banging. Domestic violence survivor advocates said that whenever a case like this comes up, anyone can help.
"If you are a neighbor and suspect someone is in an abusive relationship or there's something happening that draws concern, anyone can contact our crisis centers or call our statewide helpline," said Pamela Keilig, of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. June 16, 2023 WMUR Amanda Grady Sexton, director of public affairs for the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, said specific types of domestic violence are strong indicators or future lethal events.
“What we saw in the criminal history of Mr. Bell was exactly the red flags that we know, which lead to and predict a future homicide,” she said. “The act of strangulation is a very strong indicator of lethality as well as the fact that he illegally possessed a firearm.” Much of the coalition’s efforts take a holistic approach to support social services for families and larger systems that hold offenders accountable. June 10, 2023 Union Leader Authorities found 35-year-old Nicole Hughes and her 1-year-old daughter, Ariella Bell, dead in their home on Saturday. Each had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Hours later, 42-year-old Jamie Bell, the man suspected of killing his partner and their daughter, was found dead by apparent suicide on the bank of the Merrimack River.
Amanda Grady Sexton, public affairs director for the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence, said this tragic case reflects known patterns of abuse. “Bell’s criminal history demonstrates how domestic violence escalates over time,” she said. “His illegal use of firearms and his use of strangulation against an intimate partner were strong warning signs that he was a serious risk to those in his household.” Sexton said domestic violence homicides are preventable, avoidable, and predictable. So people shouldn’t be shy about reaching out to the statewide 24/7 helpline, 1-866-644-3574, if something about a relationship looks or feels unsafe. Whenever high-profile cases like the one in Franklin happen, Sexton said the hotline sees a dramatic increase in calls, from people who are in unhealthy relationships and from their friends, family members, and other concerned parties. Callers don’t need to be in crisis to call and speak with an advocate, she noted. June 7, 2023 Boston Globe The N.H. Senate on Thursday passed a bill by Winchester Rep. Jennifer Rhodes to increase the penalty for repeat “peeping Tom” crimes and similar violations.
At a March 28 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the bill, 53 people signed up in support of the legislation, and nobody was against it. Pamela Keilig, a public policy specialist at the N.H. Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, told the panel the bill would bring the privacy law in line with other statutes, such as the indecent exposure law, that have tougher penalties for repeat violations. June 5, 2023 Keene Sentinel Shaheen Calls for Department of Defense to Investigate National Guard Sexual Assault Allegations4/20/2023
U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-New Hampshire, has asked the Department of Defense to look into allegations of sexual assault at the New Hampshire National Guard. Her request came after News 9 spoke with soldiers who said they were sexually assaulted while serving.
"There certainly can be added barriers to victims coming forward inside of institutions," said Lyn Schollett, executive director of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. "However, in this set of circumstances, while it is never incumbent of any survivor to speak out, when they do, like these soldiers did, they can have enormous influence," she said. "They are giving other survivors hope, and they are giving other survivors hope that systems can change and be more responsive in the future". April 19, 2023 WMUR Federal law enforcement officers have discovered illicit massage parlors in every New Hampshire county, with victims of human trafficking being forced to have sex with customers. The National Human Trafficking Hotline identified 75 victims in New Hampshire in 2021, most involving sex in illicit massage parlors and spas.
Law enforcement officers say the state’s lax licensing laws are helping those parlors stay in business. Local officials, advocates who work with assault victims, and the head of the state’s licensing agency agree. Since the New Hampshire Human Trafficking Collaborative Task Force formed in 2016, it has identified 50 illicit massage businesses in the state, said Director Meg Chant, who is also the human trafficking project specialist at the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. “We’re not looking at this as just a law enforcement situation,” Chant said. “Generally, law enforcement can’t do it on their own. Victim services can’t do it on their own. And it really is just about trying to reach those victims. Yes, if we can prosecute the people who are doing it, the traffickers, that’s great. But we’re really looking at making the victim safe.” April 3, 2023 New Hampshire Bulletin Concord Monitor March 23, 2023
The New Hampshire Supreme Court overturned criminal convictions Thursday of former State Senator Jeffrey Woodburn who was charged with domestic assault-related crimes in 2018 after a series of disputes with his then-girlfriend. The Supreme Court concluded that the court did fail to provide appropriate instruction to the jury and reversed the convictions of domestic violence and simple assault but affirmed the two counts of criminal mischief and remanded the case for a new trial. “It’s disappointing that these convictions were overturned by the Supreme Court on a legal technicality; however, other convictions in this case still stand and Mr. Woodburn will be going to jail for his crimes,” said Amanda Grady Sexton, director of public affairs of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence in a public statement. “This decision should not in any way discourage victims of domestic violence from coming forward and reporting abuse.” WMUR February 20, 2023
The Department of Defense said sexual assault and sexual harassment are persistent challenges across all military services. The agency said it's actively working to create solutions to address the problem, but advocates for sex assault survivors said it may not be enough. Looking at the military as a whole, Department of Defense numbers show that reports of sexual assault increased by 13% from 2020 to 2021. It estimates that more than 35,000 servicemembers experienced sexual assault in fiscal year 2021, 19,000 women and 16,000 men. "It can certainly be harder for victims who are part of a closed system, maybe a university, the military, place of employment, where they are not given the resources they need," said Lyn Schollett, executive director of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. "So, crisis centers stand by, ready to provide those resources." Manchester Ink Link December 22, 2022
New Hampshire has made strides recognizing and being proactive about domestic violence homicide, but there is more work to be done, particularly in collecting data that will clarify the nature of domestic homicide in the state, an advocate says. “Although New Hampshire has an overall low homicide rate, it continues to be concerning that the majority of homicides in the state are domestic violence related,” Alyssa Dandrea, community relations specialist at the New Hampshire Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence said. “All domestic violence homicides are avoidable.” WMUR December 12, 2022
A bill introduced by U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-New Hampshire, would require U.S. ports of entry to provide resources to victims of human trafficking. [It} would require that the hotline, 888-373-7888, be displayed in airports, rail stations and bus depots. The number would also be required to be displayed in restrooms of every plane, bus and train. According to the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, from 2017 to 2021, victim advocates assisted more than 370 human trafficking victims. Ages of the victims ranged from 6 to 60. "And unfortunately, we see both labor and sex trafficking across the state," said Pamela Keilig, of the Coalition. "[The hotline is] a critical tool for victims and community members who can help intervene in cases where human trafficking may be occurring," Keilig said. |
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