[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 66 (Wednesday, April 7, 2010)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 17845-17846]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-8028]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 66 / Wednesday, April 7, 2010 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 17845]]


                Proclamation 8492 of April 1, 2010

                
National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, 2010

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Every day, women, men, and children across America 
                suffer the pain and trauma of sexual assault. From 
                verbal harassment and intimidation to molestation and 
                rape, this crime occurs far too frequently, goes 
                unreported far too often, and leaves long-lasting 
                physical and emotional scars. During National Sexual 
                Assault Awareness Month, we recommit ourselves not only 
                to lifting the veil of secrecy and shame surrounding 
                sexual violence, but also to raising awareness, 
                expanding support for victims, and strengthening our 
                response.

                Sexual violence is an affront to our national 
                conscience, one which we cannot ignore. It 
                disproportionately affects women--an estimated one in 
                six American women will experience an attempted or 
                completed rape at some point in her life. Too many men 
                and boys are also affected.

                These facts are deeply troubling, and yet, sexual 
                violence affects Americans of all ages, backgrounds, 
                and circumstances. Alarming rates of sexual violence 
                occur among young women attending college, and 
                frequently, alcohol or drugs are used to incapacitate 
                the victim. Among people with disabilities, isolation 
                may lead to repeated assaults and an inability to seek 
                and locate help. Native American women are more than 
                twice as likely to be sexually assaulted compared with 
                the general population. As a Nation, we share the 
                responsibility for protecting each other from sexual 
                assault, supporting victims when it does occur, and 
                bringing perpetrators to justice.

                We can lead this charge by confronting and changing 
                insensitive attitudes wherever they persist. Survivors 
                too often suffer in silence because they fear further 
                injury, are unwilling to experience further 
                humiliation, or lack faith in the criminal justice 
                system. This feeling of isolation, often compounded 
                with suicidal feelings, depression, and post-traumatic 
                stress disorder, only exacerbate victims' sense of 
                hopelessness. No one should face this trauma alone, and 
                as families, friends, and mentors, we can empower 
                victims to seek the assistance they need.

                At the Federal, State, local, and tribal level, we must 
                work to provide necessary resources to victims of every 
                circumstance, including medical attention, mental 
                health services, relocation and housing assistance, and 
                advocacy during legal proceedings. Under Vice President 
                Biden's leadership, the 2005 reauthorization of the 
                Violence Against Women Act included the Sexual Assault 
                Services Program, the first-ever funding stream 
                dedicated solely to providing direct services to 
                victims of sexual assault. To further combat sexual 
                violence, my 2011 Budget doubles funding for this 
                program. Through the Justice Department and the Centers 
                for Disease Control, we are funding prevention and 
                awareness campaigns as well as grants for campus 
                services to address sexual assault on college campuses. 
                The Justice Department has also increased funding and 
                resources to combat violence against Native American 
                women.

                As we continue to confront this crime, let us reaffirm 
                this month our dedication to take action in our 
                communities and stop abuse before it

[[Page 17846]]

                starts. Together, we can increase awareness about 
                sexual violence, decrease its frequency, punish 
                offenders, help victims, and heal lives.

                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 April 2010 as 
                National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. I urge all 
                Americans to reach out to victims, learn more about 
                this crime, and speak out against it.

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

[FR Doc. 2010-8028
Filed 4-6-10; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-W0-P