[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 198 (Tuesday, October 14, 2003)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 59079-59080]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-26007]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 198 / Tuesday, October 14, 2003 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 59079]]

                Proclamation 7717 of October 8, 2003

                
National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, 2003

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Across our country, domestic violence traumatizes 
                victims, endangers children, harms families, and 
                threatens communities. According to the most recent 
                report from the Department of Justice, there were 
                almost 700,000 incidents of domestic violence in 2001. 
                Approximately one-third of women who are murdered each 
                year are killed by their current or former husband or 
                partner. Children who are subjected to domestic 
                violence too often grow up to inflict violence on 
                others, creating a cycle of violence that must be 
                stopped. During National Domestic Violence Awareness 
                Month, we renew our Nation's commitment to prevent and 
                punish the perpetrators of this despicable crime and 
                bring hope and healing to those affected by it.

                In some communities across our country, law 
                enforcement, medical, and legal services for domestic 
                violence victims are fragmented, requiring victims to 
                travel to several different places to receive the help 
                and treatment they need. Comprehensive service centers 
                for domestic violence victims and their dependents 
                enable health and justice professionals to better serve 
                those in need. My Administration supports efforts to 
                provide a wide variety of victim services in one 
                location, including medical care, counseling and social 
                services, law enforcement and legal resources, faith-
                based services, employment assistance, and housing 
                assistance.

                Local nonprofit and faith-based programs and their 
                volunteers also offer critical assistance and support 
                to victims in need--help that may not otherwise be 
                available. In August of this year, the dedicated 
                advocates at the Federally supported National Domestic 
                Violence Hotline answered their one millionth call for 
                help. Volunteers who want to help victims in the local 
                community can find more information at the USA Freedom 
                Corps Volunteer Network (located at 
                www.usafreedomcorps.gov).

                My Administration is fighting domestic violence and 
                strengthening services for victims and their dependents 
                by supporting local and private efforts and securing 
                historic levels of funding for the Violence Against 
                Women programs at the Department of Justice. In fiscal 
                year 2002, we spent $390 million to prevent domestic 
                violence and help victims, which represented an 
                approximately $100 million increase in funding. Since 
                then, we have continued to provide a similar level of 
                funding, and cities and towns across America are using 
                this money to strengthen their responses to the victims 
                of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The 
                Federal commitment to domestic violence has made it 
                possible for women to seek relief from abuse and 
                reclaim their dignity and their lives. Moreover, 
                Federal prosecutions in cases involving violence 
                against women increased by 35 percent in 2002.

                Today is the first day of issue for the U.S. Postal 
                Service Stop Family Violence postage stamp, which will 
                raise money to support the national fight against 
                domestic violence. On behalf of families and 
                communities across America, I call on all citizens to 
                help raise public awareness about how to prevent, 
                recognize, and stop domestic violence. I applaud the 
                commitment of all those who are helping to improve the 
                lives of domestic violence

[[Page 59080]]

                survivors and their families. Working together, we can 
                continue to find better solutions to this national 
                problem.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, 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 2003 as National 
                Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I urge all Americans 
                to help victims of domestic violence and to work 
                together to address this tragic problem.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                eighth day of October, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand three, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and twenty-eighth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 03-26007
Filed 10-10-03; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P