HB1740

There is NOTE ENOUGH being done in this state for victims.

I oppose this bill. Please protect victims of domestic violence.

This puts woman and children no manager, and would undo years of progress.

Protect the victims

Protect the victims

Protect the victims more not less

As a survivor who reported to police and had my case mishandled leading to years of stalking after being assaulted, support from advocacy centers and mental health funds are the reason I am still here today. The barriers to seeking and getting the help I needed to heal and be safe were already so great. I urge you to oppose this bill which will put survivors like myself facing even more barriers and lack of safety. Granite staters deserve to be safe and heal - when survivors are in danger, it costs our state far more than when we support them and help them escape danger.

It's a waste of significant money and harms women's safety. Why would you even put this forward?

I oppose this bill. Sexual assault is an extremely life changing crime. Assault victims are hurt deeply by a victimizer’s actions. It is necessary and just to protect those who have been sexually abused for as long as it takes them to recover from such criminal violations to their bodies.

I oppose this bill as it is already too difficult for a victim of domestic violence to seek protection through the Court System and legal State organizations. I was denied a Protective Order against a Tier 3 Registered Sex Offender after he entered my house using a key he would not return, refusing to leave, and following that incident continued to come onto my residence consistently over a 24 hour period begging me to lie to DCYF regarding multiple reports against him with a specific minor. I have sought help from Domestic Violence groups and local Police since this, for stalking, harassment, DCYF reports and interviews against him involving multiple minors (including my own children). Most recently, this individual put his hands on me in front of my children on School property, an unwanted physical and aggressive contact. Even through filing a police report, no action was taken or deemed warranted. I have continued to appear in Court, creating a financial burden and restricting my time, in his attempts through motions to have the Court System hold me responsible for each DCYF report that comes from multiple sources, and his attempts to remove my children from my care. Our society knows through documented research that the dangers and risks of violence from the abusive partner increases against DV victims when they seek help and seek to leave, yet this Bill creates restrictions on when we can seek a PO. In this Bill, there is an unclear definition regarding false reporting and punishment, without clarifying how a report is determined to be false. I am in favor of more police training and responding to DV calls/reports. As a society we have so much knowledge about Domestic Violence, trauma bonds, and the cycle of abuse. What we are lacking is implementing that into law and real help for victims trying to leave.

As a spouse of a Direct Services Advocate for victims of domestic violence I hear plenty of stories for domestic violence that does not rise to the level of a prosecutable crime but have devasting impacts on victims and the younger members of their families. Many perpetrators are experts at skirting the law to continue their abuse of their victims - physically and mentally. Many law enforcement when brought into the mix, only control the immediate situation and help to keep everyone involved safe in the moment and do nothing else. Once a victim files a request to restrain a perpetrator access to the victim, the perpetrator can request an expedited hearing and the situation can be review by a judge in a little as 3 days. I am in opposition to this bill.

I am against death penalty

As a domestic abuse survivor more needs to be done to protect the victims that have already suffered unimaginable abuse.

Protective orders should not require a prior criminal history. Every week we hear about a woman killed or assaulted by her spouse (current or former) or by a man in a non-marital relationship. If the threat of violence is credible, the protective order should be granted.

Hidden from public view victims of dv suffer. They need our care and support. Their numbers are larger than we know. This bill destroys the admirable progress NH has made in assisting and protect the victims of domestic violence.

The numbers vary year to year, but typically range from about 5-10 women killed by domestic partners annually in New Hampshire, representing a significant portion of all homicides in the state.???????????????? This bill lowers protections for the victim and pulls back years of progress relating to domestic abuse and violence.

Strongly opposed to going back in civilized life. OPPOSED to H B 1740.

We need to protect and support victims.

Let’s not forget how many years it takes to get to a point where we support families in domestic violence and abuse. Detriment to lives to roll back protections we now have.

Please protect crisis center and survivors support

I oppose this bill! This is very dangerous for women in domestic violence situations. Frankly, how dare you.

As a survivor of domestic abuse, I oppose this bill. Reducing protections for victims, predominantly women, forces them to stay in unsafe marriages. Women and children deserve to live safely- without abuse, physical or mental. Statistics show that women are more likely to be killed by their spouse/ partner. This has not changed since the protection laws were developed and sometimes, the only thing that keeps a violent man in check is the law.

Rape kits provide essential evidence, which must be properly handled and preserved in order for victims to have access to to everything which brings them the best chance for justice, and healing.

As a resident of NH, I strongly oppose this bill and urge you to vote “no”.