Amy Vorenberg

HB1552 goes against public safety and amends several of New Hampshire's restraining order laws to make it more difficult for victims to come forward and seek relief. Specifically, this bill would add new language to the following statutes requiring victims to sign a sworn document that they are not providing any false information in the petitions they file: RSA 173-B: civil domestic violence protection orders RSA 633:3-a: civil stalking protection orders RSA 169-C:7-a: protective orders filed on behalf of a minor RSA 458:16: restraining orders filed in divorce cases RSA 461-A:10: restraining orders filed in parenting and custody cases Petitions filed through the Judicial Branch already include a section requiring victims to swear that the information they provided is true and accurate. Further, it cautions them that they could face penalties if any of the information submitted is found to be false. HB1552 is unnecessary. Asking victims to engage in an extra step to prove their credibility serves to reinforce the dangerous stereotype that women lack credibility. These kinds of measures discourage victims from seeking essential relief. Victims should not be afraid of potential legal consequences when they are already in fear for their lives.