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Executive Director Lyn Schollett framed the amendment as worse than the original form, saying the Coalition and crisis centers handle confidential information about their clients. In writing grant applications and police trainings, the Coalition draws on personal stories of the people that it serves.
She also said the federal grants that make up the lion’s share of funding require that information to be kept confidential. “If 91-A were applied, it would be an absolute open-door fishing expedition for defense attorneys to try to get to that information,” Schollett said. “The result would be victims won’t come forward.” Concord Monitor March 10, 2026 Lyn Schollett, the Coalition’s executive director, said her staff lobbies the way they do because they gather input from all stakeholders: survivors, medical experts, law enforcement and prosecutors. Those professionals told the Coalition that Read’s bill was problematic, she said.
The Coalition, based in Concord, helps to train police and nurses on how to handle sexual assault and domestic violence cases, as well as advocating and coordinating services for survivors. It passes funds to 12 crisis centers throughout the state, which help victims safely identify and pursue their options. The organization held $12.4 million in grant revenue as of mid-2025, according to an audit, and 98% of its funding comes from the federal and state government. “The Coalition fully supports oversight and public accountability for nonprofits, including our own,” Schollett told lawmakers. “House Bill 1675 does not advance oversight. Instead, it seeks to upend an already well-established system for overseeing the finances and the grant work of nonprofit organizations.” Concord Monitor February 12, 2026 The Coalition, Schollett said, is already subject to extensive state and federal oversight.
“We fully support appropriate nonprofit oversight — including our own. We have a decades-long, unblemished record of compliance, clean internal and external audits for 25 consecutive years, and rigorous monitoring by state and federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Justice. This bill does not strengthen oversight. It attempts to single out one nonprofit for punishment without due process,” Schollett said. NHJournal February 11, 2026 Schollett said the bill would do real harm to victims and advocates.
“HB 1675 manufactures a sham ‘investigation,’ threatens critical victim-services funding, and radically restricts Coalition leaders from raising the voices and needs of survivors in vital public arenas,” she said. “The Coalition already operates under extensive state and federal oversight and has a decades-long, unblemished record of transparent grant reporting and compliance. This bill adds nothing to accountability. It adds only harm.” Schollett added that removing the Coalition from state boards reveals the bill’s true purpose. “Targeting the Coalition does not protect victims. It protects abusers and attempts to intimidate advocates and survivors. It sends a dangerous message that harassment works.” Patch February 9, 2026 "What's most important here is that every school looks out for the students ahead of their own reputation, and it doesn't seem like that happened here," said Lyn Schollett, executive director of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence.
"The most important thing is for schools to follow the law and to report immediately, so law enforcement have an opportunity to step in," Schollett said. WMUR January 28, 2026 Meg Chant, program director with the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, said many operators tell their sex workers if they report what’s going on, they would lose their license and could be deported.
“The very women being victimized are the ones who bear liability because they are the licensees,” Chant said. Union Leader January 20, 2026 NH May Rewrite its Domestic Violence Laws. Could Survivors Face Barriers to Seek Protection?1/21/2026
Lyn Schollett, executive director of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, said that the changes could undo years of progress protecting survivors.
“This bill would eliminate the civil process and would leave a victim who isn’t ready or able to engage in the criminal process with no legal remedy,” she said. In 2024, New Hampshire saw 3,476 domestic violence petitions filed — but advocates said that number is not the full picture. Many survivors never come forward from fear of retaliation. Requiring them to involve the police or engage in a criminal case can also make an already dangerous situation even worse. Concord Monitor January 20, 2026 Nursing Assistant Accused of Assaulting Child at Hospital Faces Felony Charges in Separate Case1/13/2026
The New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence works with crisis-affected families. Coalition coordinator Meg Chant said it's never too early to talk to children about speaking up.
"For the parents, it's really about listening to and believing children if they're speaking up and telling them that there's an issue," Chant said. "And then seeking help. That's what matters the most." Chant said the family in this case took the right approach, but she noted that police aren't the only resource for those who don't know where to turn. "If a parent is trying to work through the situation, and maybe they don't know what's going on yet and they're just trying to understand, 'Why is my child acting in this way that's unusual? There's a behavioral change.' Certainly, call the crisis center, and they can talk through that with them." WMUR January 9, 2026 Amanda Grady Sexton, Director of Public Affairs, New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, released this statement following the sentencing: “David Meehan’s courage in coming forward has changed the trajectory of this case and exposed a history of horrific abuse that never should have happened. Today is the result of a survivor who refused to be silenced and a legal system finally beginning to reckon with its past. We stand with David and with every survivor whose childhood was stolen at YDC. Justice must continue, and we will not stop advocating until every survivor is heard, believed, and supported.”
Seacoast Online December 12, 2025 Amanda Grady Sexton, public affairs director for the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, reminded parents that they are not alone. Confidential services are available around-the-clock for those who may need help or guidance, she said.
“The allegations in this case are heartbreaking and remind us that even in places dedicated to healing, children can be vulnerable,” Grady Sexton said. “Ensuring strong safeguards, clear reporting pathways, and immediate support for families is vital.” Those impacted by domestic and sexual violence or stalking can access free and confidential support services by calling the 24/7 statewide helpline at 866-644-3574. Boston Globe December 9, 2025 |
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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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Funding for this website was provided by The Corporate Fund.
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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