May 29, 2024
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Media Contact:
Alyssa Dandrea, [email protected]

“We have nothing but admiration for the brave survivor who shared her truth and paved the way for so many other domestic violence victims to break their silence. This survivor endured 6 years of legal proceedings in a high-profile case brought against Mr. Woodburn, who was in a position of power with higher political ambitions,” said Amanda Grady Sexton, director of public affairs for the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. “We are grateful to the Attorney General’s Office for its work on this challenging case and for taking domestic violence seriously. It is important to note that the convictions of criminal mischief still stand, and it’s anticipated that Mr. Woodburn will serve jail time for those crimes.”

May 14, 2024
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Media Contact:
Alyssa Dandrea, [email protected]
 
Today, New Hampshire is set to join at least 24 other states in the country in enacting critical housing protections for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. By signing HB261 into law, Governor Sununu took an important step to ensure that victims and their children will no longer be forced to stay in a dangerous home.
 
HB261 adds important updates to RSA 540, New Hampshire’s Tenancy Statute, that will allow victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking to break a lease in the private housing market. This law mitigates both the potential safety and financial risks of both landlords and victims, ensuring that a victim has avenues to leave an abusive situation, while also ensuring that landlords are not unnecessarily burdened by the sudden departure of a tenant.
 
“There are many reasons a survivor may need to break their lease to maintain their safety. 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,” said Rachel Duffy, the Coalition’s Housing and Economic Justice Manager.
 
“On behalf of our clients who are seeking to escape abusive relationships, we appreciate the protection this provides. The last thing survivors need to be worrying about is their housing,” said Dawn McKinney, Policy Director at New Hampshire Legal Assistance (NHLA).
 
Nationally and in New Hampshire, there are similar protections afforded to survivors within public housing under the expanded Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) protections reauthorized in 2022, but these protections do not extend to survivors in private and mainstream rentals. HB261 sets to equalize protections for all survivors in our state and is closely modeled from the protections outlined in VAWA.
 
The Coalition and NHLA worked closely with numerous vested partners in the state, such as 603 Legal Aid’s Fair Housing Team, Survivor Advocates, Landlords, and National Partners (NNEDV). It truly was a collaborative effort, informed by the invaluable contributions of our partners who worked together to craft this substantial and critical legislation.

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. The NHCADSV and its 12 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. 

Today, Governor Chris Sununu issued the following statement after signing HB 261 into law, relative to rights of tenants in cases of domestic violence:
"New Hampshire is stepping up to protect survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking by ensuring they have the ability to live in safe environment without jumping through legal hurdles to do so," said Governor Chris Sununu. "I thank the stakeholders who came together to get this done!"
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"In New Hampshire we work together to pass common sense laws that provide protections for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking," said Amanda Grady Sexton, Director of Public Affairs for the NH Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. "HB 261 will allow victims of abuse to end their lease when their safety is at risk. Governor Sununu's signature on this bill will help ensure that victims and their children will no longer be forced to stay in a dangerous home."

May 3, 2024
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Media Contact:
Alyssa Dandrea, [email protected]

“May this 38-million-dollar verdict send a message to every child predator and every institution that has enabled them. This verdict is a bold and emphatic statement that children deserve to be heard and believed. We commend David Meehan for speaking the truth, and we are grateful to him and all of the victims that have come forward to demand justice and systemic change,” said Director of Public Affairs Amanda Grady Sexton.
 
We encourage anyone who has been sexually or physically abused, no matter when the abuse occurred to seek confidential and compassionate support or information through New Hampshire’s crisis centers. Caring advocates are available 24/7 at the statewide helpline at 1-866-644-3574.
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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. The NHCADSV and its 12 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.