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December 10, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Alyssa Dandrea, [email protected] Today marks a long-awaited step toward accountability in one of the most devastating scandals in New Hampshire’s history. James Woodlock, a former Youth Development Center staff member, was sentenced to 20 to 40 years in prison for helping facilitate the sexual assault of David Meehan when he was a child at YDC. This case represents a profound betrayal by an adult who was entrusted with the safety and care of vulnerable young people. David’s voice, courage, and truth have been the driving force behind exposing a system that failed to protect the very children it was meant to serve. New Hampshire owes him a debt of gratitude for his persistence and his unwillingness to let this abuse remain hidden. David’s incredible strength has opened the door for others to be heard and reaffirmed that the criminal justice system must treat every survivor’s story with the seriousness it deserves. “David Meehan provided some of the most vivid and compelling testimony that I have heard in my 14 years of experience on this bench,” the Honorable Judge Delker said at Wednesday’s sentencing hearing. “The acts of violence that you and your accomplices perpetrated on him were hard to listen to, much less to think about.” Judge Delker also spoke about the realities of sexual abuse and the people who perpetrate it: “The sad reality of crimes like this is that even the most revered and respected members of our society engage in this unthinkable conduct. And it's, in fact, that very veneer of respectability that allows perpetrators to commit these crimes. The unfortunate reality of cases like this is that the named victims like Mr. Meehan are not the only ones who suffer. Your friends and family are victims because they trusted you and your actions betrayed that trust." This sentencing does not erase the pain Woodlock inflicted, nor the years of harm endured by so many children at the hands of adults working for the State of New Hampshire. Today affirms that their voices matter, and that the truth cannot be buried forever. Further, it reinforces that the pursuit of justice for YDC survivors will continue until every individual who caused harm, ignored harm, or protected those who harmed children is held accountable. Statement from Amanda Grady Sexton, Director of Public Affairs, New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence: “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.” The Coalition extends our deepest appreciation to David for his strength and to all survivors who continue to come forward. Their truth is reshaping this state, and their courage will protect future generations of children from ever enduring what they endured.
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October 14, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Amanda Grady Sexton: [email protected] The New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence extends our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and community of Marisol Fuentes Huaracha. Marisol’s death is a profound tragedy that underscores the urgent need for continued reform in how our state responds to domestic and sexual violence. Marisol did everything society asks of survivors - she reported the assault, sought help, and obtained a protective order. Yet despite her courage, the system was unable to keep her safe. Her story is a heartbreaking reminder that our collective response must do more to prioritize survivor safety and offender accountability at every stage of the criminal legal process. The Attorney General issues steps to strengthen New Hampshire’s response, including improved communication across agencies, and the expansion of the Lethality Assessment Program, which connects survivors at the highest risk with lifesaving advocacy services. The Coalition will be working with the legislature during the 2026 Legislative Session to mandate the use of lethality assessments by law enforcement and to establish ways for the courts to reduce the risk of homicides in domestic violence cases. “Only when police, prosecutors and the courts have full information about an offender’s history and access to evidenced-based lethality assessment tools, can they make informed decisions that best prioritize the safety of victims and the public," said Amanda Grady Sexton, Director of Public Affairs for the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. "The Coalition will continue working closely with survivors, surviving family members and state partners including the legislature to ensure that lasting change is made. Every survivor in New Hampshire deserves to be believed, supported, and protected when they reach out for help.” If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or sexual violence, confidential and free help is available 24/7 through the statewide crisis line at 1-866-644-3574. August 26, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Alyssa Dandrea: [email protected] "This review brought to light fatal gaps in information sharing and follow through by New Hampshire's criminal legal system. The defendant in this case was ordered four times to relinquish his firearms and still had access to a gun that he used to kill Marisol. This is unacceptable and New Hampshire has a responsibility to do better. Internal reviews of domestic violence cases should be conducted routinely, not just when there has been a tragic outcome resulting in death or injury. These reviews, like the one following Marisol’s murder, are important parts of identifying system failures, and can be aided by regular data collection on how judges are ruling in domestic violence cases," said the Coalition's Executive Director Lyn Schollett. Schollett continued, "We appreciate the courts acknowledging the reality of domestic violence and the complex nature of these cases. Victims’ lives cannot be separated into distinct parts—they endure a continuous pattern of trauma and terror. We hope the increased information sharing that the courts are recommending will be implemented in order to reduce barriers to victim safety moving forward. The Coalition is committed to partnering with the courts, prosecutors, and law enforcement to prevent future homicides." Press Release from Governor Kelly Ayotte July 28, 2025 Today, Governor Kelly Ayotte held a ceremonial bill signing for new laws to protect crime victims, strengthen penalties for offenses such as human trafficking, and crack down on AI-generated child sexual abuse materials.
"As we work to build a safer Granite State, we're grateful to Governor Ayotte for prioritizing the voices of survivors and for bringing together legislators, advocates, and public officials to highlight the importance of these critical public safety bills," added Amanda Grady Sexton, director of public affairs for the NH Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. "Public safety means being safe in your workplace, safe online, and safe in your own home—not just on the streets. These new laws will improve the lives of victims of crime and strengthen our ability to prevent abuse before it happens." New Hampshire Enacts Bipartisan Reform Package to Strengthen Protections for Victims of Crime7/28/2025
July 28, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Amanda Grady Sexton: [email protected] Concord, N.H. — Following a press conference today at the State House, New Hampshire leaders reaffirmed their commitment to protecting children and survivors of violence, sending a clear message: violent offenders will not find safe haven in the Granite State. Governor Kelly Ayotte has officially signed a robust package of bipartisan legislation aimed at closing critical gaps in the state’s response to abuse and exploitation. The newly enacted laws — HB62, HB218, HB369, HB405, SB140, SB145, SB262, SB267, and SB300 — bolster protections for children, improve the state’s approach to human trafficking, enhance accountability for perpetrators of violence, and aim to prevent domestic violence homicides. These reforms are part of a broader, coordinated effort by victim advocates to build a survivor-centered system of justice in New Hampshire. Across the state, experts are working together with frontline professionals to ensure they have the tools and legal support necessary to intervene effectively and protect those at risk. “Public safety isn’t limited to what happens on our streets—it means being safe in your own home, at work, and online, and living free from the threat of violence, exploitation, or harassment,” said Amanda Grady Sexton, Director of Public Affairs for the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. “These new laws reflect a deep understanding that we must continue to close every legal loophole, strengthen every safeguard, and actively work to promote laws that will help prevent violence before it begins.” The passage of these laws represents a shared commitment to building safer communities across New Hampshire. HB405 is a critical step to ensure that our communities are safeguarded against "Illicit Massage Businesses" (IMBs), which are a specific type of commercial-front trafficking venue disguised as lawful massage or bodywork businesses. One element of this bill updates New Hampshire's prostitution statute, RSA 645:2, in cases where someone knowingly allows a place under their control to be used for acts of trafficking — raising the penalty from a misdemeanor to a felony level offense. SB262 increases the minimum sentence for individuals convicted of trafficking children in New Hampshire, bringing our state law more in alignment with federal law when it comes to prosecuting these horrific crimes. SB267 establishes a fine of $500 for defendants convicted of engaging in prostitution, helping hold accountable the buyers who are helping sex traffickers' profit from this exploitation. These fines will be directed to strengthen anti-trafficking work in our state. SB300 strengthens our child sexual abuse images statute by prohibiting any person from creating intimate AI images of children for the purposes of sexual gratification or arousal in New Hampshire. With strong bipartisan support, we successfully championed a series of new laws designed to make our state’s system more accessible and responsive to victims of crime. “Just one legal barrier to safety can have devastating consequences for victims of abuse and exploitation,” said Pamela Keilig, Public Policy Specialist at the Coalition. “These reforms represent a significant step forward, and we’re grateful to those lawmakers who supported these important bills. There is real momentum behind efforts to enhance public safety in New Hampshire and to build a system that better reflects the complex challenges survivors face every day.” HB62 enables victims of sexual assault or sexual harassment in the New Hampshire National Guard to access financial assistance when participating in legal proceedings. Additionally, it will allow military protective orders to be introduced as evidence in civil domestic violence cases. HB218 updates state law to allow victims of crime to receive a free copy of their police report, ensuring that they have the documents they need to access essential resources and services. HB369 requires the defendant of a sexual assault crime against a minor to decide whether to proceed in circuit court with a bench trial or immediately appeal to the superior court for a jury trial, thereby streamlining court proceedings. It also requires a sex offender to report in person to law enforcement within five business days of their conviction. SB140 codifies into law the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee, ensuring that the thorough and comprehensive reviews continue so that we can more effectively prevent domestic violence related homicides in the future. SB145 develops a pilot program to use common carriers to speed up the time it takes for sexual assault kits to be delivered to the state lab. It also creates a clear timeframe for when these kits need to be delivered. About the Coalition: The Coalition is a statewide network of 12 independent member programs committed to ending sexual violence, domestic violence, stalking, child abuse, and human trafficking, through direct services to victims, community education, and public policy advocacy. July 17, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Alyssa Dandrea, [email protected] The New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence commends the New Hampshire Supreme Court’s unanimous decision in State v. Matthew Raymond, which upholds the use of expert testimony to explain the complex ways that victims respond to domestic violence and trauma. In the case, Matthew Raymond was convicted of several serious offenses, including second-degree assault (strangulation), false imprisonment, and domestic violence-related simple assault. On appeal, Raymond challenged the admissibility of expert testimony provided by Dr. Scott Hampton, a clinical psychologist with national expertise in intimate partner violence. The Supreme Court decisively upheld the testimony, affirming that general expert education on victim behavior is not only appropriate but essential to helping juries understand trauma responses, such as delayed reporting, recantation, or ongoing contact with an abuser. “Expert witnesses play a vital role in domestic and sexual violence cases,” said Amanda Grady Sexton, Director of Public Affairs at the Coalition. "They help jurors understand what trauma really looks like—not just in theory, but in the lived experiences of survivors. Many people expect victims to behave in a certain way, but trauma doesn't follow a script and the brain's survival systems can override rational thought. For example, trauma can cause someone to freeze or shut down and make it hard to recount what happened in a linear fashion. This ruling ensures that survivors won't be discredited just because their response to abuse doesn't match a common stereotype." The Court confirmed that experts can offer general insights grounded in professional experience, even if they are not offering opinions about the specific victim in the case. This decision will have far-reaching impacts in both domestic and sexual violence prosecutions, helping ensure that verdicts are based on a deeper understanding of abuse dynamics rather than misconceptions or myths. The Coalition extends its sincere thanks to Assistant Attorney General Sam Gonyea and the entire appellate team at the New Hampshire Department of Justice for their dedication to advancing justice for victims of crime. A copy of the Supreme Court’s full opinion can be found at: https://www.courts.nh.gov/our-courts/supreme-court. July 10, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Alyssa Dandrea, [email protected] We thank the New Hampshire Department of Justice and law enforcement partners for their leadership in shutting down more than 40% of illicit massage businesses across the state — a major step in disrupting human trafficking in our communities. “This marks a significant step forward in New Hampshire’s fight against human trafficking, but our work is far from finished. Trafficking continues to impact individuals in all 10 counties across the state, and we have a collective responsibility to do more—to protect survivors, hold perpetrators accountable, and prevent future harm,” said Coalition Program Director Meg Chant. The Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence will be working closely with the Human Trafficking Collaborative Task Force this upcoming legislative session to push for a statewide licensing process for massage businesses. We’ll also be working with landlords and property owners to raise awareness and help prevent traffickers from operating under the radar. This is a critical moment to move from enforcement to long-term prevention — and we’re committed to helping lead that effort. About the task force: The Coalition coordinates and is a partner with the Human Trafficking Collaborative Task Force. The Task Force Director, who works at the Coalition, act as a facilitator, strategist and lead collaborator on efforts to combat human trafficking in New Hampshire. In Landmark Decision, New Hampshire Supreme Court Bolsters Privacy Rights for Victims and Patients5/1/2025
May 1, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contacts: Amanda Grady Sexton [email protected] Alyssa Dandrea [email protected] Today, for the first time, the NH Supreme Court applied Article 2-b, Right of Privacy, a 2018 state constitutional amendment on privacy, giving people seeking counseling and victim advocacy services groundbreaking protections for their confidential records. Building a trusting, private relationship with a counselor or advocate is foundational to healing for crime victims. Unfortunately, criminal defendants have frequently used victims’ confidential records to intimidate and embarrass victims—and to deter them from disclosing abuse, reporting crimes and seeking justice. NH has long had statutes protecting the confidentiality of crisis center and therapy records. However, courts frequently overlook the required process when those records are sought. Victims are often not told that that their records are being requested and are not given an opportunity to rely on the laws that protect them. Instead, courts often issue orders that such records be handed over without the victim even being informed. That is exactly what happened in the underlying case. Background on the Case: The defendant in this case is being prosecuted in Belknap County for sexually assaulting a minor victim. Following a Grand Jury indictment, the defendant filed a motion seeking access to the victim’s confidential crisis center and mental health records. The victim was not given notice or an opportunity to object to this request; instead, a Superior Court judge issued an order requiring counselors and advocates to turn over their records for review by the court. The victim, represented by Nixon Peabody, LLP, moved to intervene and requested that the trial court suspend its orders. The Superior Court judge, however, ruled that the victim had to turn over her records. The victim appealed the lower court’s decision to the NH Supreme Court, which issued a decision in the case on May 1. In a unanimous opinion, the NH Supreme Court vacated the trial court’s ruling, raising the standards for accessing records and finding that any person whose privileged records are sought must be given notice and an opportunity to be heard before the court rules. Significant Engagement by NH and National Partners: Due to its groundbreaking nature, this case garnered significant involvement from the victim advocacy and mental health fields. The New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence filed an amicus brief in this case in partnership with the state’s 12 crisis centers, the National Crime Victim Law Institute, the Confidentiality Institute, the National Network to End Domestic Violence, and the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence. The NH Community Behavioral Health Association also filed an amicus brief in support of the victim’s rights. The Supreme Court used a 2018 Constitutional Amendment to overturn its own prior case law that made it easier for defendants to access confidential records. Now, courts are required to engage in a specific process that involves the victim/patient before making any decision about reviewing or disclosing those records. Reaction to NH Supreme Court Opinion: The New Hampshire Supreme Court resoundingly declared that victims and those seeking services from mental health providers have a constitutional right to privacy and a right to be heard when that right is at issue in a case. Victims will no longer have to choose between their privacy rights and their ability to seek help from critical support services. NH Coalition’s Executive Director Lyn Schollett: “The outrageous practice of accessing victims’ irrelevant, personal information ends today. Granite staters who have experienced violent crimes and heinous losses can walk into the office of a crisis center or a therapist without fear that their conversations will become public. They can slowly rebuild trust, and their lives, with the privacy they deserve." David Vicinanzo, Attorney for the Victim and Partner at Nixon Peabody, LLP: “Today, the Supreme Court has removed a major obstacle to justice for the victim in this case and for many others, especially women and children victimized by sexual assault or domestic violence. For decades, an erroneous interpretation of ‘due process’ has permitted perpetrators to have easy access to the mental health records of victims of these crimes, to then cherry pick and use to attack the victims for disclosing the abuse, as if victims of sexual or child abuse were presumed to be ‘crazy.’ The mere fear of having one’s privileged therapy or medical treatment records accessed by the defendant and made public was an invasion of privacy that deterred many victims from seeking justice because the system punished them for coming forward. “In this landmark ruling, the Court curtailed that practice by limiting access to such records to the rarest of circumstances. Now, the mental health and counseling privileges will be protected at the same level as the attorney-client privilege is protected. Victims of crime will be free to seek mental health treatment they may need or want. And criminal defendants will no longer have easy access to rummage through the privileged medical and mental health records of their victims, almost all of whom were women or children in sexual or domestic crimes.” Hilary Holmes Rheaume, Attorney for NH Coalition Amicus Brief and Shareholder at Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer & Nelson, P.A.: “Today marks a profound moment for victims across the country, and especially here in New Hampshire. For too long, our justice system has emphasized a defendant’s rights while placing victims in the defendant's shadow. With today’s decision, the New Hampshire Supreme Court has affirmed that victims have a fundamental right to be notified and heard—particularly when their privacy is at stake. This is a win for all victims of sexual assault, who now have protections that did not exist before today.” Other sources: Brief of the NH Community Behavioral Health Association: “The self-limiting effect stigma can have on an individual’s ability to continue mental health treatment is particularly at issue where the individual is confronted with the risk of disclosure of her records. Here, the risk of disclosure presents not only a potential barrier to continued treatment, but a risk of re-traumatization by the Court process itself.” Ilene Seidman & Susan Vickers, The Second Wave: An Agenda for the Next Thirty Years of Rape Law Reform, 38 Suffolk U. L. Rev. 467, 473 (2005): “For most sexual assault victims, privacy is like oxygen; it is a pervasive, consistent need at every step of recovery. Within the context of the legal system, if a victim is without privacy, all other remedies are moot.” About the Coalition: NHCADSV is a statewide network of 12 independent member programs committed to ending sexual violence, domestic violence, and stalking, through direct services to victims, community education, and public policy advocacy. March 12, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Today, we express our deep gratitude to Senator Jeanne Shaheen as she announces her decision not to seek reelection in 2026. For decades, Senator Shaheen has been a tireless advocate for survivors of domestic and sexual violence and at the forefront of anti-violence work, both in New Hampshire and across the nation. Year after year, her leadership has been instrumental in securing critical funding for victim services, including record levels of support for the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) programs. We are especially grateful for her unwavering support of local crisis centers in New Hampshire, ensuring they have the resources to be a vital lifeline for survivors. “Senator Shaheen’s leadership in the Senate has changed the landscape of domestic and sexual violence advocacy, and her legacy will continue to inspire our work,” said Amanda Grady Sexton, the Coalition’s Director of Public Affairs. “As Senator Shaheen concludes her decades of service, her legacy will be defined by her unwavering commitment and dedication to the survivors who needed her most.” About the Coalition: NHCADSV is a statewide network of 12 independent member programs committed to ending sexual violence, domestic violence, and stalking, through direct services to victims, community education, and public policy advocacy. February 6, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Alyssa Dandrea, [email protected] On Friday, February 7 at 11:30 a.m. the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee will hold a public hearing on HB700, relative to orders of protection. The Coalition strongly opposes this bill, which weakens New Hampshire’s stalking statute and makes it easier for stalkers to terrorize and even kill their victims. HB700 will make it harder for judges to remove deadly weapons if there is no evidence of domestic violence in civil stalking cases. Nationally, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men are stalked in their lifetimes, with the majority of victims experiencing physical threats to their safety. In New Hampshire, hundreds of victims of stalking access life-saving services every year through the Coalition’s 12 community-based crisis centers. Coalition Director of Public Affairs Amanda Grady Sexton said, “HB700, now commonly known as the ‘Stalkers’ Empowerment Act,’ gives dangerous stalkers easier access to deadly weapons. Voters have been clear that they want their elected officials to focus on passing laws that improve public safety. The general public does not support bills like HB700 that will empower and embolden criminals.” All forms of stalking are dangerous. The idea that stalking is somehow less dangerous outside the context of domestic violence is extremely harmful and ignores the very real experiences of victims in our state. Perpetrators use a virtually endless array of tactics to stalk their victims and are adept at changing their tactics in response to introduced restrictions such as protective orders. This reality resonates with the VanDalinda family whose father and dog were killed in a brutal attack by a stalker who deliberately ran them over with her truck. The family plans to appear before the House committee on Friday morning to oppose HB700 to send a strong message that this bill is insulting to victims, and the legislature should not be giving it the time of day. About the Coalition: NHCADSV is a statewide network of 12 independent member programs committed to ending sexual violence, domestic violence, and stalking, through direct services to victims, community education, and public policy advocacy. |
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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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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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