Man Accused of Driving From Pennsylvania to Threaten Laconia Woman Who Broke Off Relationship5/7/2024
Coalition Program Director Meg Chant said, "You really don’t want to share video—or even those live photos that you can take—necessarily with someone if you haven’t met them yet because they can include geo-location data. If someone wants to find you, they will, and it’s not necessarily that person’s fault."
The New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence said that anyone who feels threatened by someone they met online can call the crisis hotline at 1-866-644-3574 to set up a safety plan. WMUR May 4, 2024 Under current law, those who are incarcerated, on parole or probation, registered as sex offenders or registered as offenders against children must convince a court that a name change is necessary, but there is no requirement to notify victims or their next of kin. A bill sent to the governor Thursday would require those convicted of certain violent felonies, including murder, and those convicted of crimes against children to also go before a judge. It also gives victims or family members a chance to weigh in.
Both Debra Duncan’s daughters, the Packers and Sitomer were at the Statehouse for Thursday’s vote, along with advocates from the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. Gov. Chris Sununu hasn’t taken a position on the bill yet, but spokesman Benjamin Vihstadt said Wednesday he supports efforts to safeguard victim rights. Associated Press May 4, 2024 At the urging of those who have been victimized by violent crime, the New Hampshire Senate unanimously approved a bill Thursday to make it harder for people convicted of certain felonies to hide their criminal record by changing their name.
Five victims who shared their stories with lawmakers attended Thursday’s vote alongside representatives from the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, which touted House Bill 1003 as a common-sense step to improve accountability and public safety. The bill requires people with certain criminal convictions to demonstrate their name-change request is “necessary” and notify certain authorities, so victims have an opportunity to object. Boston Globe May 2, 2024 Survivor Wants Stricter Name-Change Rules for Violent Felons in N.H., After Ex-Counselor Indicted5/1/2024
Bonnie Sitomer and others are calling on New Hampshire lawmakers to pass House Bill 1003, which would require people who have been convicted of certain serious crimes to demonstrate their request for a name change is “necessary” before a court can approve it. The bill, which already passed the House, is scheduled for a vote in the Senate on Thursday.
The New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence has described HB 1003 as an important step for accountability and safety. “People who have committed violent crimes shouldn’t be allowed to change their names simply because they want to reinvent themselves or escape their past,” said Pamela Keilig, a public policy specialist for the Coalition. “Our communities are at risk when violent histories are removed from public memory.” Boston Globe May 1, 2024 A Manchester police officer is now on paid administrative leave after being charged with multiple counts of domestic violence.
Meg Chant, of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, said situations involving allegations against law enforcement can make it more complicated and intimidating for victims to come forward. "We know that for any victim of domestic or sexual violence, it's really hard to come forward and to seek support, particularly with domestic violence, and that's even more complicated when the offender or the perpetrator may be in either a law enforcement position or really any position of power," she said. April 24, 2024 WMUR A bill discussed in an N.H. Senate committee on Tuesday would increase the penalty for anyone who secretly photographs an unclothed minor.
Pamela Keilig, public policy specialist with the NH Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, spoke in favor of the bill. “We know that violations of privacy are not just about peeping into a window – it’s recognizing that these crimes can have lasting impacts on the emotional and physical well-being of a victim, especially as children,” she said. “Privacy violations are not victimless crimes and offenders who commit these acts have often impacted countless victims, families, and communities. These crimes do not just violate a child’s privacy, but their sense of safety and security within their own home and beyond.” March 19, 2024 Keene Sentinel Amanda Grady Sexton, public affairs director for the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, said she too had never before seen a police news release withhold a defendant’s name to protect a victim.
“There may be circumstances where this is appropriate,” she said, suggesting some circumstances may warrant refraining from sending a news release at all. “However,” she added, “there should be specific policies in place that drive this decision making.” Sexton said, "publicly identifying crime victims, even indirectly, can inflict further suffering, so it’s 'critical' for police to protect victims’ identities and communicate with consistency." March 5, 2024 Boston Globe Amanda Grady Sexton, director of public affairs for the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, applauded the ruling.
“Victims in New Hampshire are often subjected to unnecessary delays in the courtroom,” she said. “Defense attorneys should not be permitted to use continuances as a legal strategy to benefit their clients and delay justice. Victims are afforded rights under New Hampshire law and should not be subjected to these types of unnecessary and unfair delays. Judges must take victims’ rights into consideration and stop this unethical practice. Six years is far too long for any victim to wait for justice.” February 24, 2024 Caledonian Record Lyn Schollett, of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, said there can be a lot of barriers to children coming forward to report assault, including their young age, which is why it often takes years for them to do so.
"It's critical that children know that if they come forward and describe a harmful touch, that they will be heard and that they will be believed," Schollett said. "And that's the most important thing that parents and guardians and caretakers can do for the children in our lives." February 15, 2024 WMUR The bill heard in the House Judiciary Committee would establish regulations for when convicted criminals want the change their names.
"Under current law, you can murder someone and change your name. Why is this acceptable?" said Pamela Keilig, of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. "This means that a name change is essentially equivalent to a clean slate for someone who does not want to be discoverable as a criminal." More testimony came from a woman who said she was sexually assaulted by her counselor, who, she later learned, had an extensive criminal history. This bill is supported by the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence as well as New Hampshire State Police. An executive session on the bill is scheduled for Monday. January 17, 2024 WMUR |
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The 12 member programs of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence provide services regardless of gender,age, health status (including HIV-positive), physical, mental or emotional ability, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, socio-economic status, race, national origin, immigration status or religious or political affiliation.
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New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
PO Box 353, Concord, NH 03302-0353
(603) 224-8893
New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
PO Box 353, Concord, NH 03302-0353
(603) 224-8893
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