The NH AmeriCorps Victim Assistance Program (AVAP) has recently received an AmeriCorps grant award from the Corporation for National and Community Service that will allow the program to continue to build upon its impactful and transformative work to support and empower victim/survivors. Currently in its 25th year, the AVAP program is responsible for serving approximately 5,000 NH victim/survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, human trafficking, and stalking each year.
 
AVAP members are placed at crisis centers, police departments, and prosecutors’ offices to offer support and information to victims of domestic and sexual violence. Additionally, AVAP members are specially trained to provide financial literacy and economic empowerment programming to victims of domestic violence who are experiencing financial abuse.
 
“The continuation of this longstanding program is vital to our state’s efforts to combat domestic and sexual violence. NH survivors and communities are safer because of AVAP and we’re honored to be among the programs receiving the AmeriCorps grant award from the Corporation for National and Community Service. We look forward to continuing to serve victims of domestic and sexual violence and are grateful to have the capacity to maintain our statewide programming.” – Natalie Ryckman, AmeriCorps Victim Assistance Program Manager
 
This funding is provided by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency for volunteering and service. This year marks the 25th anniversary of AmeriCorps. Since the program’s inception in 1994, more than 1 million Americans have served their country through the national service program. Organizations are currently recruiting for AmeriCorps members to begin service this fall. Those interested in serving can learn more at AmeriCorps.gov/Join.
 
 
About the AmeriCorps Victim Assistance Program (AVAP)
The AmeriCorps Victim Assistance Program (AVAP) is a multi-agency collaboration designed to address critical service needs in our communities and justice systems by ensuring services and education are available to victims of domestic and sexual violence and stalking throughout New Hampshire, and promoting community service and a lifetime commitment to volunteerism. AVAP is part of AmeriCorps, a national service program that offers opportunities to Americans who are interested in making a substantial commitment to serve their country through national service.
 
 

The New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence and its 13 member programs are deeply appreciative of the Governor’s proposed increase of state general funds domestic violence services. The Governor has proposed an increase to the “Domestic Violence Programs General Fund” within the Health and Human Services Budget from $643,456 per fiscal year to $1.2 million per fiscal year.
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“We are incredibly grateful to Governor Sununu for his leadership and work to prioritize lifesaving services for victims of domestic violence and their children. When survivors find the strength to come forward and seek support, their courage should be met with adequate services and a commitment to their safety. In the last two years, our programs were forced to turn away 1,854 adult survivors and 1,310 children in need of immediate housing. Lack of space in emergency shelter or underfunded programs should never be a reason a survivor is denied safety – victims in our state deserve better. We look forward to working with both the House and Senate to earn their support, and to show victim/survivors that the state of New Hampshire is committed to ending domestic violence in the Granite State.” - Amanda Grady Sexton, Director of Public Affairs for the NH Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence.

“The work being done by Bridges, and crisis centers across the state helps survivors stand on their own two feet again by helping them to rebuild their credit, create a budget, secure employment, find housing, and save money for themselves and their children. With an increase in state funding, we will be able to build upon the work already being done and help even more survivors find independence. Recently, we helped a mother of 3 who was participating in our transitional housing program to apply for a scholarship for school and repair her credit through our microloan program. I’m thrilled to share that she has since graduated from college, gotten a job, and is living on her own with her children free from abuse and is completely financially independent. The Governor’s proposed budget will allow us to assist more victims in writing their success story, much like this survivor did.”  - Executive Director of Bridges: Domestic and Sexual Violence Support, NH’s Nashua-based crisis center.

“Survivors of domestic violence living in rural communities, like the ones that we serve in Coos County, face additional barriers when seeking to leave their abuser or access support services. When any survivor makes the brave decision to leave, the risk of lethality significantly increases. In a small NH town where everyone knows each other, that survivor is in even more danger. No survivor fleeing abuse should ever be turned away from emergency housing – unfortunately, this the current reality facing far too many survivors in NH. Lack of capacity and resources limits our ability to support those who need it most and additional state dollars will go a long way in our ability to keep NH survivors and families safe.” – Deb Haynes-Kenney, Program Director of Response to Sexual and Domestic Violence, the NH crisis center serving survivors in Coos County.
“For me, Turning Points Network helped me out of a very dangerous situation. When I came into shelter I was severely injured and desperately needed support. I’m fortunate to have found safety – Turning Points Network has been my life line. Crisis centers prevent violence, end cycles of abuse, and help survivors in NH to heal.” – Diane T., NH domestic violence survivor.

In the last two years, New Hampshire’s crisis centers served nearly 30,000 victims, yet were forced to turn away 1,854 adults and 1,310 children from emergency domestic violence shelter due to lack of capacity. That means that 3,164 Granite Staters who were in imminent danger, and sought support in the midst of crisis were unable to take refuge in shelter simply due to lack of funding.

This budget request recognizes that it’s past time to ensure that child and adult victims impacted by domestic violence have access to the services that they need and deserve in the hospital, in the courtroom, and beyond. With additional state support, our crisis centers will help survivors of domestic violence access safe and stable housing, build a financially secure future for themselves and their children, and take strides towards leading lives free from violence.
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The New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence is a statewide network of 13 independent member programs committed to ending sexual violence, domestic violence, and stalking, through direct services to victims, community education, and public policy advocacy. The NHCADSV and its 13 member programs do not discriminate based on 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. For more information visit www.nhcadsv.org.

We are committed to upholding campus safety and preserving each student’s right to learn in an environment that is free from harassment and violence. The New Hampshire Campus Consortium Against Sexual and Interpersonal Violence and The New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence stand with the NH Federal Delegation, Governor Chris Sununu, the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, and the American College Personnel Association in expressing our concerns with the recently proposed Title IX regulations brought forward by the U.S. Department of Education.
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We fear that the proposed regulations would have a chilling effect on New Hampshire campuses, and jeopardize student and campus safety by:

• Narrowing the scope of cases that schools are required to respond to by adopting a stringent definition of sexual harassment, allowing schools to ignore instances of violence that happen off-campus, and creating barriers for students to report misconduct;
• Allowing schools to adopt problematic standards and processes that closely mirror the criminal justice system, such as the use of a higher standard of proof in adjudication and requiring in-person cross-examination of the victim and witnesses; and
• Permitting schools to use mediation processes rather than formal investigations in cases of sexual assault.

“Schools have a responsibility to keep all students and members of the campus community safe. We are concerned that the proposed regulations will deter students from coming forward and reporting, therefore limiting a school’s ability to respond to potential threats to campus safety,” said Robin Burroughs Davis, Chair of the NH Campus Consortium Against Sexual and Interpersonal Violence.
 
“It is difficult enough for students who have been sexually assaulted or harassed to come forward and report their experience – institutions cannot afford to take steps backwards in working to combat campus-based violence,” said Madison Lightfoot, Communications Specialist for the NH Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence.
 
We encourage institutions of higher education, supporting organizations, allied professionals, students, and parents, to participate in the public comment period, which ends on January 30th.
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The New Hampshire Campus Consortium Against Sexual and Interpersonal Violence is a statewide collaborative of New Hampshire colleges, universities, and professionals working collectively to develop and implement strategies to end interpersonal violence on NH’s campuses. The Consortium has participation from 22 NH colleges, both public and private, as well as the system office for the Community College System of New Hampshire, the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office, and the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence and its member programs. For more information visit www.nhcampusconsortium.org
 
The New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence is a statewide network of 13 independent member programs committed to ending sexual violence, domestic violence, and stalking, through direct services to victims, community education, and public policy advocacy. The NHCADSV and its 13 member programs do not discriminate based on 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. For more information visit www.nhcadsv.org.

“We’re pleased to see the N.H. Supreme Court has upheld the trial court’s decision to hold Owen Labrie accountable for his crimes. Sexual assault cases are among the most under-reported crimes and cases rarely result in a conviction. In order to change the existing culture that minimizes sexual violence and silences survivors, we must continue to hold offenders accountable and demonstrate to victim/survivors that we take these crimes seriously. Our thoughts are with Chessy Prout who courageously came forward in this case and we hope today’s decision allows her to move forward. Thank you to the N.H. Supreme Court for standing with victims of crime in making today’s critical decision.” - Amanda Grady Sexton, Director of Public Affairs for the NH Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. 

About the Coalition:
NHCADSV is a statewide network of 13 independent member programs committed to ending sexual violence, domestic violence, and stalking, through direct services to victims, community education, and public policy advocacy. The NHCADSV and its 13 member programs do not discriminate based on 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. For more information visit www.nhcadsv.org.
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​"We stand with Dr. Blasey Ford, and all survivors, as she testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee today. Dr. Blasey Ford has come forward to share her story, despite huge personal and professional cost, and despite the terror of exposing herself and her family. She’s testified to the Committee that the reality of coming forward has been even worse than anything she could’ve imagined. She and her family have endured slander, death threats, gross invasion of privacy—and having to move her family out of their home in order to stay safe. Dr. Blasey Ford has nothing to gain from sharing her story; indeed, she has everything to lose. It is with a sense of civic duty and reverence for the Supreme Court that Dr. Blasey Ford has so courageously came forward and shared the details of one of the worst experiences of her life." - Lyn Schollett, Executive Director for the NH Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. 

About the Coalition
NHCADSV is a statewide network of 13 independent member programs committed to ending sexual violence, domestic violence, and stalking, through direct services to victims, community education, and public policy advocacy. The NHCADSV and its 13 member programs do not discriminate based on 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. For more information visit www.nhcadsv.org

Press contact: Amanda Grady Sexton, 603-548-9377

September 13, 2018

The New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence applauds the Attorney General for this comprehensive settlement agreement, which focuses on creating lasting change for the community of St. Paul’s School.
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This agreement is truly groundbreaking. The scope of this settlement reflects how pervasive the problems at St. Paul’s School are.  We believe this agreement will have far reaching implications and become a model for schools throughout the country seeking to create safer and more responsive environments for students who are sexually assaulted.   
This settlement became a reality because of the tremendous commitment Attorney General MacDonald and his team have demonstrated to victims of crime.  Soon after he was appointed, the Coalition brought concerns about St. Paul’s to them, and they listened.  And then they acted.

This intensive investigation involved the investigators, prosecutors and advocates you see here today and literally thousands of hours of work – hard work that involved unearthing the experiences of victims long overlooked or even silenced.  Through it all, the Attorney General’s Office was undeterred from its ultimate goal: ensuring the safety and well-being of St. Paul’s students.

The Attorney General’s Office could have taken a more traditional approach and charged the school with criminal offenses.  This would have likely resulted in the school merely having to pay a fine, if found guilty. That limited accountability would have been a blip on the screen and a day in the media, yet would have resulted in minimal change for the children who live, work and study on St. Paul’s campus every day.

Today marks a change. After decades of perpetuating the abuse of children, the standard formula for an institution’s “accountability” can no longer be taking a hit in the media, offering an apology, or writing a check.

Instead, the people you see here today invested in monumental change.  The Attorney General’s Office prioritized student safety above all else; recognized the need for large-scale, institutional change; and refused to let St. Paul’s School get away with a mere slap on the wrist for failing its students and its community for decades.  The message to St. Paul’s and institutions across the country is clear: the systemic discrediting and minimizing of victims will no longer be tolerated or swept under the rug.

In particular, we are encouraged that an overseer will be in place long enough to not only create policies that protect students, but to implement them.  Education aimed at preventing future abuse will be prioritized.  Guaranteed access to confidential, victim-centered support services will break down the shame and isolation often felt by victims, and insure that they are aware of all of their options after an assault.  As you have heard in recent years from students who were victimized at St. Paul’s, how an institution responds to a victim has an enormous impact on how that victim moves through the world after an assault.  With evidence-based, trauma-informed training, we are hopeful that St. Paul’s leadership will move from blaming victims to believing them.

Thank you, Attorney General MacDonald and your team, for your vision and leadership in reaching this unprecedented agreement.  The Coalition is prepared to help in any way we can.  We stand with survivors who have named the violence they experienced at St. Paul’s School and those who have never felt that they can do so.  Our hope is that this agreement is a first step to creating an environment where any student who is assaulted is provided the support and services they need and deserve.