Rev. Bill Beardslee

This bill is unconscionable and an affront to all those who work so tirelessly with the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence as well as the victims it seeks to assist. My local church as well as my denomination relies on the Coalition for education and intervention to assist victims of domestic violence, I'm retired now but when in one particular church we had an emergency shelter that was frequently used by those seeking safety. Both the state Coalition and a regional group were essential in helping to get people to safety and help them work through what they needed to do. There are numerous churches and communities engaged in such essential work. Survivor services and prevention are extremely critical to those at risk or active survivors. This work must be protected. This bill does not do that and in fact aids in silencing victims. It is a politically motivated “investigation” of the Coalition; it seeks to defund the Coalition’s statewide work to improve systems and to support our member programs; and it removes the Coalition’s voice from state commissions working to end abuse. May you have the conscience to protect the vital work of the Coalition rather than seeking to intimidate and defund this work. PLEASE DEFEAT THIS BILL.