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A review of a judge's decision in a Hampton domestic violence case found her ruling 'reasonable.'12/2/2021
NHPR November 30, 2021 The Nov. 15 shooting, which the plaintiff survived, raised concerns from some domestic violence advocates that the court had erred when it rejected the petition. “No one can dispute that the victim, in this case, was in extreme danger, and the system failed her when she courageously looked to the courts for help,” N.H. Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence executive director Lyn Schollett wrote in a statement. “This review affirms that the courts are not using the very plain language of the statute to make common-sense decisions in protective order cases,” and that judges are relying on a “fundamental misunderstanding of domestic violence.” In a written affidavit and during an in-person hearing on Oct. 20, the plaintiff, who was not represented by an attorney, outlined a series of threats made by Lorman, as well as descriptions of sexual violence and a photograph of bruises caused by him in 2016 Union Leader November 30, 2021 Schollett, who was named to a court system task force to further review domestic violence cases, said the findings of the Lorman review affirm that judges aren't using the plain language of written laws to make common-sense decisions in protective-order cases.
"Instead, judges in New Hampshire have essentially re-written the law and added requirements for victims to get relief that go far beyond what the legislature intended – requirements that show a fundamental misunderstanding of domestic violence," she said. Concord Monitor November 30,2021 “No one can dispute that the victim in this case was in extreme danger, and the system failed her when she courageously looked to the courts for help,” said Lyn Schollett, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. “This review affirms that the courts are not using the very plain language of the statute to make common sense decisions in protective order cases. Instead, judges in New Hampshire have essentially re-written the law and added requirements for victims to get relief that go far beyond what the legislature intended — requirements that show a fundamental misunderstanding of domestic violence.”
New Hampshire Judicial Branch concludes review of judge’s decision in domestic violence case12/2/2021
WMUR November 30, 2021 "I think the report shows that the Legislature intended restraining orders as a remedy to be available to victims who go to court on their own, and what has happened over decades is that the courts have, in essence, rewritten the law and have added many more requirements that make it much for difficult for victims to access this remedy," said Lyn Schollett, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence.
NHPR/ The Trace November 26, 2021 Amanda Grady Sexton, a spokeswoman for the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, said protective orders are only granted in truly serious cases in New Hampshire. Because there is already a high bar to get an order, she said it would make sense to include a gun restriction automatically. Petitioners need to prove that they have been the victim of a crime, that the abuse is current, and that they are in immediate danger of further abuse. “In light of all that, I’m not sure why a judge wouldn’t check that box to have firearms relinquished,” Grady Sexton said.
CBS Boston November 16, 2021 Court documents show the woman who was Court documents show the woman who was shot leaving work in Salem, Massachusetts Monday night was denied a restraining order against the man who police say pulled the trigger. A judge denied the request just weeks before the shooting.
The woman, whose identity has not been released, was leaving Doyle Sailmakers where coworkers say she was a manager. The 33-year-old woman remains in the hospital with life threatening injuries. Domestic violence advocates say this is an egregious failure of the system. “We are confounded by how a protective order petition alleging felony level offenses could have been denied,” said Lyn Schollett of the NH Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. Delegation announces over $2 million to protect survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence10/28/2021
The Berlin Sun October 27,2021 “During the pandemic, we have seen an increase in calls to our state’s domestic and sexual violence crisis centers as survivors have faced isolation and acts of violence have escalated in homes across New Hampshire. These federal funds will allow crisis centers to continue serving as a lifeline to survivors and will strengthen our statewide response to combat domestic violence and sexual assault. Thank you to our Congressional delegation for continuing to stand with survivors, we are deeply appreciative of your efforts to secure these critical resources,” said Amanda Grady Sexton, Director of Public Affairs at the NH Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence.
WMUR October 24, 2021 Officials from the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence said help is available for any victim of sexual assault.
"What we do know is that more than half of the campus sexual assaults that happen in the country happen in the first few months of the fall semester. So statistically, that's a dangerous time for students," said Lyn Schollett from the coalition. "So, it's really important to know what the resources are and to be engaged in really meaningful prevention conversations." Keene Sentinel October 2, 2021 Experts say, however, that mental health and poor anger management are too often blamed for acts of domestic violence, according to N.H. Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence spokeswoman Alyssa Dandrea.
Dandrea, whose organization comprises programs in the state that offer services to survivors and inform policymakers on issues of domestic and sexual violence, said abuse is an “intended” form of violence — meaning perpetrators can, but choose not to, refrain from their actions. The Laconia Daily Sun September 2, 2021 An enhanced texting feature is now available for those who want to communicate with 9-1-1 for help in an emergency. The upgraded service which went in service Monday provides a life-saving option for people in situations, including domestic violence, where it is too dangerous to dial 9-1-1.
Texting can be a safer or more effective way to communicate with 9-1-1 in a number situations, including a caller who is deaf, or in the case of a home invasion or domestic or sexual abuse. “Someone could escape to a bathroom or go outside where the person they are in fear of won’t be aware they are calling for help,” said Alyssa Dandrea, a communications relations specialist for the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. “It gives them another avenue for getting help.” Another advantage is that texts can often get through when voice calls cannot. The benefit of texting in certain emergency instances is the reason that the coalition added a text option on its statewide crisis line, Dandrea said. This added feature has been valuable during the pandemic when the number of calls to the crisis line increased 63%, Dandrea said. |
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