[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 193 (Wednesday, October 7, 2009)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 51443-51444]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-24289]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 193 / Wednesday, October 7, 2009 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 51443]]


                Proclamation 8428 of October 1, 2009

                
National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, 2009

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Domestic violence touches the lives of Americans of all 
                ages, leaving a devastating impact on women, men, and 
                children of every background and circumstance. A 
                family's home becomes a place of fear, hopelessness, 
                and desperation when a woman is battered by her 
                partner, a child witnesses the abuse of a loved one, or 
                a senior is victimized by family members. Since the 
                1994 passage of the landmark Violence Against Women 
                Act, championed by then Senator Joe Biden, our Nation 
                has strengthened its response to this crime and 
                increased services for victims. Still, far too many 
                women and families in this country and around the world 
                are affected by domestic violence. During National 
                Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we recommit 
                ourselves to ending violence within our homes, our 
                communities, and our country.

                To effectively respond to domestic violence, we must 
                provide assistance and support that meets the immediate 
                needs of victims. Facing social isolation, victims can 
                find it difficult to protect themselves and their 
                children. They require safe shelter and housing, 
                medical care, access to justice, culturally specific 
                services, and economic opportunity. The Family Violence 
                Prevention and Services Act supports emergency 
                shelters, crisis intervention programs, and community 
                education about domestic violence.

                In the best of economic times, victims worry about 
                finding a job and housing, and providing for their 
                children; these problems only intensify during periods 
                of financial stress. That is why the American Recovery 
                and Reinvestment Act provides $325 million for the 
                Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and the Victims of 
                Crime Act (VOCA). This funding will supplement the 
                Federal VAWA and VOCA dollars that flow to communities 
                every year, and enable States, local governments, 
                tribes, and victim service providers to retain and hire 
                personnel that can serve victims and hold offenders 
                accountable. These funds will also bring relief to 
                victims seeking a safe place to live for themselves and 
                their children.

                Victims of violence often suffer in silence, not 
                knowing where to turn, with little or no guidance and 
                support. Sadly, this tragedy does not just affect 
                adults. Even when children are not directly injured by 
                violence, exposure to violence in the home can 
                contribute to behavioral, social, and emotional 
                problems. High school students who report having 
                experienced physical violence in a dating relationship 
                are more likely to use drugs and alcohol, are at 
                greater risk of suicide, and may carry patterns of 
                abuse into future relationships. Our efforts to address 
                domestic violence must include these young victims.

                During this month, we rededicate ourselves to breaking 
                the cycle of violence. By providing young people with 
                education about healthy relationships, and by changing 
                attitudes that support violence, we recognize that 
                domestic violence can be prevented. We must build the 
                capacity of our Nation's victim service providers to 
                reach and serve those in need. We urge community 
                leaders to raise awareness and bring attention to this 
                quiet crisis. And across America, we encourage victims 
                and their families to call the

[[Page 51444]]

                National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE. 
                Together, we must ensure that, in America, no victim of 
                domestic violence ever struggles alone.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim October 2009, as 
                National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I ask all 
                Americans to do their part to end domestic violence in 
                this country by supporting their communities' efforts 
                to assist victims in finding the help and healing they 
                need.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                first day of October, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. E9-24289
Filed 10-6-09; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-W9-P