New Hampshire Coalition Against
Domestic and Sexual Violence
Presidential Candidate Survey
About the Survey
The New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence is a bipartisan group
and does not endorse any candidates, however we do play a role in informing our advocates
and supporters about issues of public policy that affect them.
Here in New Hampshire we have the privilege of hosting the first in the nation Presidential
Primary. It is a responsibility that we take very seriously as every four years Presidential
hopefuls make numerous trips to the Granite State with the hopes of earning our vote.
Citizens enjoy accessibility to the candidates that we realize our counterparts in other states
do not. This campaign season has differed from those of the past in that many candidates
have approached the Coalition wanting to learn more about our work with survivors of
sexual and domestic violence and stalking.
With so many candidates in the race it can be difficult for voters to make an informed
decision. We wanted to provide a forum for the candidates to show members and friends of
the Coalition where they stand on our issues.
Staff at the Coalition compiled a list of 10 questions regarding some of the most important
issues that we are dealing with on a state and national level. Surveys were sent out in May
to all of the major Democratic and Republican candidates in the race. The compiled
responses of the candidates who replied are included in this report. I hope that you will find
this information informative as you get to know the people vying to be our next President.
Sincerely,
Grace Mattern
Executive Director
Survey Questions
Question 1
What do you see as your greatest strengths in terms of addressing intimate partner and sexual violence in
the U.S.?
Question 2
If elected President, will you support full funding for the Violence Against Women Act, including initiatives
that have not been funded yet? Why or why not?
Question 3
According to the first ever New Hampshire Violence Against Women Survey nearly a third of women have
been abused by an intimate partner at some time in her life, which is on par with national statistics. We
know this epidemic is not isolated to this country. As president what will you do to put an end to violence
against women at home and abroad? How large of a priority will this be for your administration?
Question 4
The NH VAW Survey also found that almost one in four women in NH has been sexually assaulted. What
do you believe you could do as President to address the critical problem of sexual victimization of women?
Question 5
In this election many people are pushing for some type of immigration reform. On a related note, here in
New Hampshire we are starting to see evidence of the hidden crime of human trafficking for sexual
exploitation. How will you balance the rights of victims of human trafficking with federal immigration reform?
Question 6
Proponents of the Real I.D. Act argue that this measure will help increase federal security. However it will
have a chilling effect on victims of domestic and sexual violence and stalking by putting their secure
information including their home address at risk. What would you do to help fix the harm done to victims
because of this bill?
Question 7
One of the biggest barriers keeping women from leaving an abusive situation is poverty. What type of
programming would you propose that could address the unique challenges that women and children in
violent situations face? How could you help them achieve economic autonomy?
Question 8
Lack of safe, affordable housing is often an obstacle when women seek to leave a violent relationship and
rebuild their lives. What steps would your administration take to help build the supply of safe, affordable
housing for survivors of domestic violence?
Question 9
What is your opinion of the father’s rights movement? What do you believe father’s roles and
responsibilities are?
Question 10
Do you support full reproductive rights for victims of domestic and sexual violence including the
unrestricted use of emergency contraception?
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Senator Joe Biden
Democrat
Question 1
What do you see as your greatest strengths in terms of addressing intimate partner
and sexual violence in the U.S.?
Question 2
If elected President, will you support full funding for the Violence Against Women
Act, including initiatives that have not been funded yet? Why or why not?
(Senator Biden combined his answer to questions 1 & 2)
I consider the Violence Against Women Act the single most significant legislation I’ve drafted in my 34 years
in the Senate. My commitment to ending and preventing domestic violence and rape remains as steadfast
and unwavering as it was when I started this process in the early 1990’s. Violence Against Women Act,
first signed into law by President Bill Clinton on September 13, 1994, established new federal crimes for
domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. In addition, the law created and provided funding for the
National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE), which has answered over 1 million calls, and
helped train police and prosecutors to more effectively treat victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault.
The Violence Against Women Act and the National Domestic Violence Hotline have helped save hundreds
of thousands of lives.
This year marks the 13th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act being signed into law and in the
past 13 years, we’ve talked more about violence against women than anyone ever thought was possible.
And, we have more legal, financial and technological resources than ever before. We have a responsibility
to make sure every women, every survivor, has access to these resources until there is no more violence in
our homes and in our communities.
I believe we must fully fund VAWA, and I have introduced this year the National Domestic Violence
Volunteer Attorney Network Act, legislation that would create a streamlined national system to recruit and
train volunteer attorneys and match them with domestic violence survivors. Under the bill, the American
Bar Association would manage an Internet-based National Domestic Violence Attorney Network to help
recruit and train volunteer attorneys; statewide legal coordinators would facilitate legal services in their
individual states; and the National Domestic Violence Hotline would provide legal referrals to victims. This
innovative project would not only increase the number of trained volunteer attorneys, but also quickly
connect victims with the legal support they need to help repair their lives. I believe this legal network is an
important next step in stopping the violence.
Question 3
According to the first ever New Hampshire Violence Against Women Survey nearly a third of women have
been abused by an intimate partner at some point in her life, which is on par with the national statistics. We
know this is not isolated to this country. As president what will you do to put an end to violence at home
and abroad? How large of a priority will this be for your administration?
Data on sexual assault indicates that as many as one in five women worldwide are victims of rape, with
young women as the most frequent targets. Such violence occurs in every country, in every segment of
society, without regard for class, color, or ethnicity. It includes beatings, honor killings, trafficking in women,
female infanticide, sexual assault and domestic violence. As chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee
and sponsor of International Women’s day, I have worked to spotlight on this problem and reaffirm our
commitment to ensuring that women everywhere are given equal access to education, healthcare, and
economic opportunities. If we are to make real progress, there must be a multi-national commitment and
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resolve dedicated to ending violence against women. As president, I would continue this commitment to
ending violence against women around the globe.
Question 4
What do you believe as president you could do to address the critical problem of sexual victimization of women?
As the author of the Violence Against Women Act, you can be sure that the problems of sexual assault will
be front and center in my Administration. We need to make sure that there is a network of services for
victims, including legal assistance and comprehensive medical and mental treatment. Most recently, in the
Violence Against Women Act of 2005, I crafted for the first-ever dedicated federal program devoted entirely
to supporting our nation's rape crisis center, the Sexual Assault Services Program. Over ten years ago, we
started saying out loud the "dirty secret" of domestic violence and rape, and brought those crimes and their
perpetrators out into the light. As President, I would continue this national dialogue, and engage our
communities in efforts to protect and empower sexually abused women and girls.
Question 5
In this election many people are pushing for some type of immigration reform. On a related note, here in
New Hampshire we are starting to see evidence of the hidden crime of human trafficking for sexual
exploitation. How will you balance the rights of victims of human trafficking with federal immigration reform?
The crime of human trafficking is no less than a form of modern slavery. Since passage of the groundbreaking
federal law, The Trafficking Victims Protection Act, in 2000, the United States has led the world in
cracking down on traffickers and urging other countries to investigate and prosecute trafficking cases and
protect victims. The U.S. law has carved out special immigration provisions for trafficking victims and their
families, including issuance of a T-visa for eligible victims that allows them to stay in the United States. I
believe we must uphold these protections and where necessary finely tune the trafficking immigration
provisions - it saves lives and makes possible successful prosecutions against domestic and international
perpetrators. Efforts to overhaul the immigration system should not, and have not thus far, eroded the rights
of human trafficking victims.
Question 6
Proponents of the Real ID act argue that this measure will help increase federal security. However it will have
a chilling effect on victims of domestic and sexual violence and stalking by putting their secure information
including their home address at risk. What would you do to help the harm done to victims because of this bill?
I understand the need for confidentiality for victims of domestic and sexual violence. In the Violence
Against Women Act of 2005 I crafted new rules for states and localities to ensure that they keep confidential
victims' personal information. Real ID contains many problems for state and localities, including the
tremendous costs. To the extent the Real ID Act continues to be in force and states work towards to
compliance, I will work to ensure compliance with the confidentiality provisions.
Question 7
One of the biggest barriers keeping women from leaving an abusive situation is poverty. What type of
programming would you propose that could address the unique challenges that women and children in
violent situations face? How could you help them achieve economic autonomy?
I have a long standing record of support for victims of domestic violence and recognize that escaping
domestic violence is more than just walking out the door. With the 2005 VAWA, we made important steps
in reaching the next levels of support in the areas of housing and education. In a similar vein, I support
local and state initiatives that help victims of domestic violence achieve economic independence. We must
also make a renewed effort to support financial literacy programming for domestic violence victims and
training to help create understanding and accommodating workplaces so that victims can maintain their jobs
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and come to safe workplaces.
Question 8
Lack of safe affordable housing is often an obstacle when women seek to leave a violent relationship and
rebuild their lives, what steps would your administration take to help build the supply of safe, affordable
housing for survivors of domestic violence?
One recent study found that 46 percent of homeless women reported staying in an abusive relationship
because they had no where to go and almost half the women receiving TANF funding reported domestic
violence as a factor in their need for assistance. We must do more to provide safe and affordable housing
for survivors of domestic violence. That's why I fought for dedicated funding as part of VAWA for transitional
housing which can help women make the break from emergency shelters to true self-sufficiency. We must
make sure that this program is fully funded and that across the country, in rural and urban areas, transitional
housing options are growing. As part of the 2005 VAWA, I included a ground-breaking provision that bars
public housing authorities from discriminating against domestic violence victims; gone are the days when a
public housing official could evict a woman when she presented a protection order. We are making sure
that housing operators are trained about domestic violence and are better prepared to operate safe housing
facilities where battered women can rebuild their lives.
Question 9
What is your opinion of the father’s rights movement? What do you believe father’s roles and responsibilities are?
I believe that there is nothing more reprehensible than the abuse of power and that a father’s obligation is
to not abuse their partners and families. I support criminal and civil procedures for fathers who batter their
partners and their families.
Question 10
Do you support full reproductive rights for victims of domestic violence and sexual violence including the
unrestricted use of emergency contraception?
I recognize that Emergency Contraception can be an important piece of treatment for victims of sexual
violence and I support its continued availability.
Senator Hillary Clinton
Democrat
Question 1
What do you see as your greatest strengths in terms of addressing intimate partner
and sexual violence in the U.S.?
I have spent the last 35 years advocating for women and children. More than a
decade ago, I had the honor of participating at the United Nations’ Fourth World
Conference on Women, where I reaffirmed the message that human rights are
women’s rights and women’s rights are human rights. As a lawyer, I advocated for
women and children, including victims of sexual assault and rape. As First Lady of
Arkansas, I spent hours at a local domestic violence shelter near my home, listening to women and
children’s stories and helping them get access to needed resources. As First Lady, I championed issues
important to women, including working to combat human trafficking and fighting for funding for
microfinance programs, which provide economic empowerment to low-income women. In 1994, with my
strong support, Congress passed the landmark Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) as part of the Clinton
Administration’s crime bill. In 2000, I urged for the bill’s reauthorization and joined with Attorney General
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Janet Reno and Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala to call on their Cabinet colleagues to
use their agencies’ resources to address the problem of domestic violence. In the Senate, I have worked to
make emergency contraception available to victims of domestic violence and to provide legal immigrants
who are being victimized with access to Medicaid and other support services. I have cared about this issue
and advocated on behalf of women who are survivors of domestic violence for many years – and I will
continue to do so as President.
Question 2
If elected President, will you support full funding for the Violence Against Women Act, including initiatives
that have not been funded yet? Why or why not?
As Senator, I have called for full funding for the Violence Against Women Act. I was a proud co-sponsor of
the re-authorization of the bill, which was enacted in 2005, and I joined my Senate colleagues in a letter
to then-Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt to fully
fund VAWA. The programs funded by VAWA are critical to women as they re-build their lives free from
violence and the problems that result from abuse. Last year, President Bush reduced funding for VAWA in
his budget request for 2007 and did not provide any funding for the 21 new programs created in
reauthorization. In response to President Bush’s actions, I introduced an amendment to the budget
resolution to fully fund all programs, like the Services, Training, Officers, Prosecutors (STOP) Grants
Program, the Sexual Assault Services Program, and services for rural victims. I support full funding for VAWA
– which, for fiscal year 2008, is authorized at about $1 billion – and I will continue to do as President.
Question 3
According to the first ever New Hampshire Violence Against Women Survey nearly a third of women have
been abused by an intimate partner at some point in her life, which is on par with the national statistics. We
know this is not isolated to this country. As president what will you do to put an end to violence at home
and abroad? How large of a priority will this be for your administration?
The silent epidemic of gender-based violence affects far too many women and families, both in the United
States and around the world. According to a 2005 study by the World Health Organization, more than 50
percent of women in some countries surveyed reported experiencing physical or sexual abuse at the hands
of their partners. The same study found that the majority of women who had experienced intimate partner
violence did not seek help, owing not only to stigma and fear but also to difficulty accessing the services
that would enable them to escape such violence. Gender-based violence is not only a criminal issue, but
also a health issue. I have been a strong advocate against domestic violence for much of my career, and I
will make this a high priority when I am President.
Question 4
What do you believe as president you could do to address the critical problem of sexual victimization of women?
I was a proud co-sponsor of the Violence Against Women Act of 2005, and I have consistently supported
funding for VAWA, the Victims of Crime Act, and the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act. As
President, I will continue to support these programs as well as new initiatives to address this pressing problem.
We need to build on the success of VAWA programs and find ways to help more women, children, and
families. That means providing more beds in emergency shelters; access to longer term affordable housing,
especially for women who have not been working or are working in low-wage jobs; and job training or
education assistance to enable survivors to become economically independent. It also means providing
mental health care to help them deal with the trauma they have experienced and providing special care for
children who witness domestic violence.
We have to break the cycle of victimization. We have learned more about domestic violence in the past 10
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years than ever before, but there is still more we need to learn and understand so that we can continue to
develop new methods in confronting the problem. We need to continue to improve and expand the
services we offer, to provide for as many women – of all economic, racial, social and work backgrounds –
who experience domestic violence. I will continue to support VAWA as President because it is crucial that
we support these women and their families.
Question 5
In this election many people are pushing for some type of immigration reform. On a related note, here in
New Hampshire we are starting to see evidence of the hidden crime of human trafficking for sexual
exploitation. How will you balance the rights of victims of human trafficking with federal immigration reform?
I have spoken about this problem for many years. As First Lady, I raised awareness about the plight of victims
of human trafficking; worked on a presidential directive to condemn human trafficking as a violation of human
rights; and outlined a prevention, protection, and prosecution framework and strategy. This directive led to the
first anti-trafficking bill passed by our government, which my husband signed into law in 2000. In the Senate,
I have pushed for ratification of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially
Women and Children, and I am pleased that the Senate finally took this important step. I will do all that I can
to ensure that human traffickers are apprehended and punished, to the full extent of the law.
Question 6
Proponents of the Real ID act argue that this measure will help increase federal security. However it will have
a chilling effect on victims of domestic and sexual violence and stalking by putting their secure information
including their home address at risk. What would you do to help the harm done to victims because of this bill?
I believe it is critical that victims of domestic violence be able to keep their personal identification secure
in order to protect themselves from their abusers. I was a co-sponsor of the bill to reauthorize the VAWA
and I support its provisions that amend REAL ID so that victims of domestic violence can keep their personal
identification and information confidential. REAL ID should not be implemented without these important
confidentiality provisions.
Question 7
One of the biggest barriers keeping women from leaving an abusive situation is poverty. What type of
programming would you propose that could address the unique challenges that women and children in
violent situations face? How could you help them achieve economic autonomy?
I was proud to work with my friend the late Senator Paul Wellstone and his wife Sheila to create a program
targeted at helping children who witness domestic violence. This program was included in the Child Abuse
Protection and Treatment Act, which was reauthorized in 2003. In addition, I believe that women need
financial security and stability in order to leave abusive situations. That is why I have long supported
microfinance programs as well as targeted investments in job training programs, such as programs to help
women enter non-traditional skilled fields like carpentry that typically pay more than female-dominated
fields. I have also led the charge for pay equity so that all women earn the same amount as men for doing
the same job.
Question 8
Lack of safe affordable housing is often an obstacle when women seek to leave a violent relationship and
rebuild their lives, what steps would your administration take to help build the supply of safe, affordable
housing for survivors of domestic violence?
I support programs like the Transitional Housing Program and the Grants to Increase the Long-Term Stability
of Victims program. I also support the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act – part of the Keeping
Children and Families Safe Act – which provides funding for emergency shelters, crisis lines, counseling, and
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victim assistance. I believe it is important to provide transitional housing, short-term housing assistance, and
related support services to victims and survivors of domestic violence. Safe, dependable housing is critical
for women as they re-start their lives after enduring violence. According to the National Low Income
Housing Coalition, victims of domestic violence often return to their abusers because they cannot find longterm
housing, and the majority of battered women in transitional housing programs state that had these
programs not existed, they would have returned to their abusers.
Question 9
What is your opinion of the father’s rights movement? What do you believe father’s roles and responsibilities are?
Fathers play a critical role in the development of their children, and children are better off when they are
raised by two loving parents. Obviously where there is violence or abuse in the household, the best interests
of the children change dramatically. This is something that courts must handle with great care.
Question 10
Do you support full reproductive rights for victims of domestic violence and sexual violence including the
unrestricted use of emergency contraception?
Yes, and I have been a leader in this area. I introduced legislation, called the Compassionate Assistance for
Rape Emergencies Act, which required hospitals to make emergency contraception available for victims of
domestic and sexual violence. For years, I pushed the FDA to make a decision about emergency
contraception being available over the counter, and we were finally successful in 2006. I introduced the
Compassionate Care for Servicewomen Act, which would require emergency contraception to be available
at all military health care treatment facilities, and the Emergency Contraception Education Act, which would
inform women about the availability of emergency contraception. And I introduced the Prevention First Act,
which included funding for an education and outreach program to help people understand the facts about
emergency contraception. I think it is critical that victims of sexual and domestic violence know this option
exists, and can take advantage of it, if they choose.
Senator John Edwards
Democrat
Question 1
What do you see as your greatest strengths in terms of addressing intimate partner
and sexual violence in the U.S.?
I am deeply committed to achieving full equal rights for women – including the
right to be free of violence. The statistics are sobering-- 95% of survivors of
domestic violence are women. Just as the wage gap illustrates economic inequality,
physical abuse is the extreme, tangible example of continuing social inequality.
To create the One America that we all believe in, where every one of us has an
equal chance to succeed, we have to end domestic and sexual violence. It is my commitment to the goal
of building One America, to a vision of equality where no one can exercise that kind of power over another
person, that makes me feel so strongly about the need to do whatever we can to eliminate this kind of
violence in our country.
Question 2
If elected President, will you support full funding for the Violence Against Women Act, including initiatives
that have not been funded yet? Why or why not?
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President Bush has proposed funding only $125 million for domestic violence programs in 2008-- not close
enough to the $175 million provided for by law. We can do better. I support efforts to fully fund VAWA.
Every woman should have the support she needs to find safety and healing, and the crisis centers that
support her should have the resources they need to provide these important services.
The Violence Against Women Act was a groundbreaking piece of legislation that made a difference in the lives
of countless survivors of domestic and sexual violence, but there is still more work to be done. We need to
provide education that teaches young children about domestic violence and where they can get help if they
need it. If children can learn battering behavior, then they can also learn how to have healthy relationships.
We also need to make sure that survivors of domestic violence and their children get the support they need
to heal. Crisis centers and domestic violence advocates provide tremendous support in times of need, but
they cannot possibly provide counseling services to every survivor who wants them. My plan for truly
universal health care will provide coverage for every man, woman and child in America and will include full
parity for mental health benefits. I am proud to have taken action as a senator to provide these services by
introducing the Women In Trauma Act and the Counseling in Shelters Act.
Question 3
According to the first ever New Hampshire Violence Against Women Survey nearly a third of women have
been abused by an intimate partner at some point in her life, which is on par with the national statistics. We
know this is not isolated to this country. As president what will you do to put an end to violence at home
and abroad? How large of a priority will this be for your administration?
As president, one of my top priorities will be expanding opportunities for women in the U.S. and others
living in the developing world. While intimate partner violence doesn’t happen only to women living in
poverty, a lack of resources limits a woman’s ability to break free of an abusive relationship. Many of the
provisions in the proposed International Violence Against Women Act are a part of my plan for helping
America restore its moral authority by leading the fight against global poverty.
We need to strengthen the rights of women and increase educational opportunities that will help change the
social roles that underlie violence against women. I will aggressively support political and economic rights for
women and support efforts to reduce violence against women and children. I will also lead the world toward
a primary education for every child, endorsing the goal of achieving universal basic education by 2015. Most
of the children out of school are young girls, and experience shows that education can be particularly
empowering for women in poor countries. As part of a significant increase in overall funding for povertyfocused
development assistance, I will lead a worldwide effort to raise $10 billion to fund this cause.
Question 4
What do you believe as president you could do to address the critical problem of sexual victimization of women?
This statistic is staggering and unacceptable. Rather than sweeping this problem under the rug, we must work
to educate Americans to prevent sexual assault and prosecute the perpetrators while offering resources and
support for victims when that education is unsuccessful.
As president, I will support federal programs established by the Adam Walsh Child Safety and Protection Act,
the Victims of Crime Act and the Violence Against Women Act, such as the National Sexual Assault Hotline
and the new Sexual Assault Services Program, which provide vital resources and support for victims at a time
when they need it most.
Sexual assault is a serious crime, and our justice system should reflect that. I support funding for the programs
within VAWA that provide continuing education of law enforcement and the courts, which are critical to
ensuring that every perpetrator is held accountable for their crimes.
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We should also work to decrease the number of sexual assaults through education. Starting at the youngest
appropriate age, we need to teach children how to respect each other and how to protect themselves from
sexual violence. And all of us — parents, clergy, teachers, public officials — need to say some simple truths:
it is wrong when the media glamorizes violence against women. And it is wrong when all Americans see this
happening and do nothing to stop it.
Question 5
In this election many people are pushing for some type of immigration reform. On a related note, here in
New Hampshire we are starting to see evidence of the hidden crime of human trafficking for sexual
exploitation. How will you balance the rights of victims of human trafficking with federal immigration reform?
Our immigration system needs a fundamental overhaul. Our security is threatened by borders we cannot
control. Our economy is harmed by an underground economy featuring a large and unprotected labor
force. And our values are violated when over 12 million people live in the shadows of our society,
vulnerable to abuse, fearful of deportation, and cut off from needed resources.
The first step in overhauling the immigration system is to secure our borders and stop illegal trafficking. I support
doubling the number of border patrol agents and investing in surveillance technology to police the borders.
But it is unrealistic to think that we can deport more than 12 million people. And for victims of trafficking
or those fleeing abusive and possibly life-threatening situations in their native country, removal from the
United States can be dangerous. I support the use of T and U visas to help individuals in these situations.
I believe people who are already here should have the opportunity to earn American citizenship. Before
earning citizenship, immigrants must avoid a criminal record, pay a fine and learn English–the surest path
to success in this country.
Question 6
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