NHCADSV is an established organization assisting women and men experiencing abuse in their lives. Whether it’s domestic, financial or sexual abuse, the coalition and their crisis centers are there for the victims. Now, the coalition finds itself in a position of needing the public’s help.
A bill will be coming to the House floor next week that will remove the privacy protections victims rely on at New Hampshire’s domestic violence shelters and rape crisis centers throughout the state. HB 1675 wants to form “a commission to investigate the NH Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence and require funding only be provided for the direct services materially benefitting survivors of sexual and domestic assault.” This would force the Coalition and twelve crisis centers to turn over private records belonging to victims of abuse. Yes, the organization helping survivors of rape, domestic violence, stalking, and trafficking could be forced to respond to public requests for information about their work and the victims they serve. Victims call crisis centers because they believe their conversations are confidential. Which they are and stay that way! That trust is what allows survivors to come forward, make safety plans and access life-saving services. HB1675 puts that very trust at risk.
This bill is not about accountability. Should it pass, it would:
- Allow people to flood crisis centers with requests meant to harass and overwhelm staff;
- Discourage victims from looking for help for fear their information could be exposed;
- Strip NH of federal victim-services funding that mandates crisis centers to provide confidential support.
As an aside, no other nonprofit victim service organizations in NH are subject to Right-to-Know requests. Why this one?
So, here’s the “call to action part:” (email) contact your state representative letting them know of your opposition to this dangerous (for abuse victims) bill. Here is a sample message to use. The more legislators hear from their constituents, the more likely they are to understand how serious this threat to victim safety really is.
The online testimony shows 1,148 who oppose this bill with 256 who support it. I’ll leave you with some examples of testimony:
~The legislature should be protecting victims, not trying to silence victims and, not investigating an outstanding non profit organization.
~I oppose HB1675 because it hurts people who need help. The NH Coalition Against Domestic Violence& Sexual Violence advocates for victims. The legislature should not have investigative authority over non-profit organizations because our justice system has authority and procedures to deal with problems. The legislature should not pass this bill but work together to solve problems of protecting victims of abuse.
~Domestic and sexual violence is nonpartisan and affects all of us. The Coalition does amazing work to fight against it and serve all kinds of victims. Like most nonprofits they already have extensive scrutiny and oversight, which is why everyone should oppose this Bill. It is nonsensical and wasteful.
~Survivor services and prevention work must be protected. My daughter is a survivor and the local crisis center was essential to her getting help and safety. Protect victims!