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Manchester officials announced Tuesday the city has secured $600,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding to purchase Emily’s Place, allowing the domestic violence shelter to remain open.
Amanda Grady Sexton, director of public affairs at the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, said when it became clear the shelter could be lost, state and local officials worked to secure funding to ensure domestic violence victims wouldn’t be displaced. “We’re especially grateful to Mayor Ruais for his advocacy efforts on this project and for understanding the importance of maintaining life-saving services for victims of abuse in the Manchester community,” Sexton said. Union Leader October 8, 2024 Domestic Violence Awareness Month — an opportunity for survivors, advocates and other community members to mourn lives lost to domestic violence and celebrate progress to end this problem — began this week.
“Domestic violence is preventable, and it’s vital that victims know that help is available and that they don’t need to be in crisis to reach out,” said Amanda Grady Sexton, the coalition’s director of public affairs. Keene Sentinel October 5, 2024 Families of Homicide Victims Seek Changes to How New Hampshire Handles Competency Evaluations9/25/2024
Advocates said there aren't enough staff members to handle the number of evaluations, saying that a restoration program has to be created.
The Coalition's Program Director Meg Chant urged the committee, "We need to look at these cases holistically and create better, safer options for offenders with severe mental health needs." WMUR September 24, 2024 Domestic violence advocates said the case is the latest in a disturbing trend. They said that with the exception of police shootings, every homicide in New Hampshire this year has been a case of suspected domestic violence.
Advocates urged anyone who needs help to call the state domestic violence hotline at 1-866-644-3574. "The person who answers that call will connect you with a confidential advocate in your area," said Alyssa Dandrea, of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. "That person can help you with safety planning, with court accompaniment, with applying for a restraining order, with housing and whatever other supports you might need at that time." WMUR August 30, 2024 “The recent news cycle has left us heartbroken, and we are grieving for the communities impacted by this senseless tragedy," said Amanda Grady Sexton, director of public affairs for the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. "We are always shocked when these homicides happen in rapid succession, and 2024 has been an especially difficult year in New Hampshire."
"Confidential advocates are available at New Hampshire’s 12 crisis centers and are trained to provide support 24/7," she said. "If you or someone you know needs help, please call our free statewide helpline to speak with an advocate in your community." The number to call is 1-866-644-3574. "You do not need to be in crisis to call," Sexton said. Seacoast Online August 29, 2024 Advocates from the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence and New Hampshire Legal Assistance played key roles in collaborating with landlord groups to discuss different scenarios and negotiate a detailed final bill which, they believe, has a very clear focus on ensuring the safety of survivors. The new protections are now embedded in New Hampshire’s tenants’ rights statute, which advocates hope will lead to clear and consistent enforcement across the court system.
As summarized in NLIHC’s Advocates’ Guide, complex relationships exist between housing insecurity, domestic and gender-based violence, and power. “There are many reasons a survivor may need to break their lease to maintain their safety,” said Rachel Duffy, the housing and economic justice manager for the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. “Everyday crisis center advocates and legal representatives across the state work with survivors who need support in fleeing violence or creating security within their homes. Advocates and attorneys know and understand that when housing survivors, there are exceptional considerations to be made including safety and confidentiality.” National Low Income Housing Coalition June 10, 2024 After the bill passed the House on a voice vote, the Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence came out against it, along with Attorney General John Formella, some local police chiefs, the state’s forensic lab and the state’s sexual assault examiner program.
They argued that as written, it potentially could have prevented victims from accessing their own bill of rights and created situations where evidence collected from rape kits wouldn't be admissible in court. A national group, Rise Now, accused the bill's opponents of trying to deny more rights to victims. "We are extremely disappointed that a DC-based group stepped into New Hampshire to advocate for amending a state law without first consulting with state legal experts on sexual violence," said Coalition Director of Public Affairs, Amanda Grady Sexton. "As a result, this group ended up pushing for bill language that would have had a devastating effect on sexual assault survivors throughout our state. This is not the way to engage in state-level advocacy". Union Leader June 1, 2024 Anyone convicted of crimes against a child or certain violent felonies, including murder, manslaughter, negligent homicide, kidnapping, arson, robbery, felonious sexual assault, and human trafficking, will be unable to change their name unless they can demonstrate the necessity of doing so.
The coalition’s director of public affairs, Amanda Grady Sexton, said it was an honor to support the survivors who advocated for HB 1003. She thanked lawmakers for listening to their stories, and thanked Sununu for signing the legislation, which she said adds important safeguards “to ensure violent offenders can’t simply erase their past and escape accountability through a name change.” Boston Globe May 31, 2024 “The number one reason survivors are unable or unwilling to leave an unsafe situation is because they feel trapped by financial situations,” said Amanda Grady Sexton, director of public affairs for the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. “There are times when survivors need to break a lease on an emergency basis. When that becomes part of their credit history, they’re less likely to be selected” for new rentals in a tight housing market.
The law was modeled after protections created for survivors in public housing in the Violence Against Women Act, extending them into private housing. Concord Monitor May 14, 2024 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 |
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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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