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Area agencies, therapists, seeing uptick of people sharing stories of sexual assault, trauma10/24/2018
A similar phenomenon has happened in New Hampshire, said Madison Lightfoot, a spokeswoman for the N.H. Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence.
“New Hampshire’s crisis centers have seen an increase in calls to their confidential hotlines, as well as an uptick in community engagement on social media,” Lightfoot wrote in an emailed statement. “Many survivors are indicating that their reason for reaching out for support is directly related to the national spotlight on these issues right now.”
The state has a hotline available for victims of sexual assault.
According to the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, crisis center advocates are available to provide free and confidential support for victims. AdvertisementThe 24-hour hotline number is 1-800-277-5570. A hotline is also available for victims of domestic violence at 1-866-644-3574.
“I think the parallels between what happened on Capitol Hill today and what is happening in New Hampshire tonight are striking,” said Lyn Schollett, executive director of NHCADSV. “What we have seen here tonight is elected officials, leaders and community members supporting victims, believing victims.”
Survivor Tina Smith said she tuned into the hearings, which preceded Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearing for the United States Supreme Court, set to go forward as planned Friday. “I want to hear both sides,” said Smith, who lives in Concord. “I believe her because I know how hard it is. There is no other reason for her to come forward and do this at this time.” Smith said people need to listen and treat survivors with respect. “There are so many reasons that we don't tell our stories,” she said. “Mine was I was afraid I would hurt my mother's feelings. For (Ford) to do that, people have to admire that.” Advocates hope that, regardless of how the confirmation process turns out, Ford speaking out will help other survivors in their own situations. NH State Senator Martha Hennessey Discloses Assault By Male Classmate At Dartmouth 42 Years Ago10/24/2018
New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence Director of Public Affairs Amanda Grady Sexton said, "We thank Sen. Hennessey for her bravery and strength, and for always demanding that victims be treated with the dignity and respect that they deserve. The comments made by our president today were misinformed and dangerous, and show a complete lack of understanding about the dynamics of sexual assault."
The New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence opposed the request and welcomed the vote.
"Today's decision sends a strong message that NH leaders take the crime of domestic violence, and offender accountability, seriously," Amanda Grady Sexton, a spokeswoman for the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, said in a statement. "Today, our thoughts are with Wanda Olsen, who will never be pardoned from the death sentence given to her by her killer."
Place was convicted in 1984 of first-degree murder for stabbing Wanda Olsen to death. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Lyn Schollett, the executive director of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, said the jury made the correct decision.
"A jury was in a much better place than the executive councilors to hear all the evidence, which they did, and they imposed the appropriate, serious, lifelong sentence here," Schollett said. She said granting a hearing would send the wrong message to victims of domestic violence.
Lyn Schollett, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, also said she had never heard of this kind of oversight over a private school. She thinks the agreement will have “far reaching implications and become a model for schools throughout the country that are seeking to create safer and more responsive environments for students who are sexually assaulted.”
“After decades of perpetuating the abuse of children the standard formula for an institutions can no longer be a hit in the media, offering an apology or writing a check," Schollett said.
“This is an important day and an important agreement, but we would not be here without the courage of former St. Paul’s students who are witnesses as well as survivors; former students who have come forward and truthfully told their stories to us even if it meant fracturing relationships and friendships,” he said. “They did so because it was the right thing to do. Their courage and strength inspired and motivated our work.”
“Today marks a change,” said Lyn Schollett, executive director of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. “This agreement is focused on the safety of children and not the reputation of the institution.”
She said that what schools have been doing until now “clearly has not worked” and that the settlement provides a road map for schools that are committed to providing a safe learning environment.
The New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence embraced the agreement and said it's much better than a criminal conviction.
"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," said Executive Director Lyn Schollett, executive director of the coalition. |
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