[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 192 (Wednesday, October 4, 1995)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 51879-51880]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-24829]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 192 / Wednesday, October 4, 1995 / 
Presidential Documents   

[[Page 51879]]

                Proclamation 6829 of October 2, 1995

                
National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, 1995

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Domestic violence disrupts communities, destroys 
                relationships, and harms hundreds of thousands of 
                Americans each year. It is a serious crime that takes 
                many forms and a complex problem with multiple causes. 
                Those abused can be children, siblings, spouses, or 
                parents, and both victims and offenders come from all 
                racial, social, religious, ethnic, and economic 
                backgrounds. Among the most tragic effects of family 
                violence is the cycle of abuse perpetuated by children 
                and teenagers who see and experience brutality at 
                home--these young people often lack crucial guidance to 
                help them form strong, positive bonds of kinship.

                Americans are fortunate that knowledge about domestic 
                violence has increased and that public interest in 
                deterrence is stronger than ever. During the past 
                decade, vital partnerships have formed between Federal 
                agencies and private-sector organizations to expand 
                prevention services in urban, rural, and underserved 
                areas across the country. These efforts have helped to 
                coordinate aid for victims and their children--not only 
                providing shelter, but also furnishing alcohol and drug 
                abuse treatment, child care, and counseling. In 
                addition, I am proud that the Violent Crime Control and 
                Law Enforcement Act of 1994 contains tough new 
                sanctions and includes a provision for a national ``hot 
                line'' where victims can receive information and 
                assistance.

                But the struggle to end domestic violence is far from 
                over. According to a recent Justice Department study 
                for 1992 and 1993, women were about six times more 
                likely than men to experience violence committed by 
                offenders with whom they had an intimate relationship. 
                And in 1992, nearly 30 percent of all female homicide 
                victims were known to have been killed by husbands, 
                former husbands, or boyfriends. We need more prevention 
                campaigns and public awareness efforts; we must develop 
                and share successful methods of prevention, 
                intervention, and treatment for victims and 
                perpetrators; and we must continue to build alliances 
                among government, community associations, businesses, 
                educators, and religious organizations to strengthen 
                our families and to teach alternatives to violent 
                behavior.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United 
                States, do hereby proclaim October 1995, as ``National 
                Domestic Violence Awareness Month.'' I call upon 
                government officials, law enforcement agencies, health 
                professionals, educators, and the people of the United 
                States to join together to end the family violence that 
                threatens so many citizens. I further encourage all 
                Americans to recognize the dedication of those working 
                to end the horrors of abuse. Offering support, 
                guidance, encouragement, and compassion to survivors, 
                these caring individuals exemplify our Nation's highest 
                ideals of service and citizenship. 

[[Page 51880]]


                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                second day of October, in the year of our Lord nineteen 
                hundred and ninety-five, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and twentieth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 95-24829
Filed 10-2-95; 2:59 pm]
Billing code 3195-01-P