[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 65 (Thursday, April 4, 2013)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 20221-20222]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-07924]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 65 / Thursday, April 4, 2013 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 20221]]


                Proclamation 8952 of March 29, 2013

                
National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention 
                Month, 2013

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                In the last 20 years, our Nation has made meaningful 
                progress toward addressing sexual assault. Where 
                victims were once left without recourse, laws have 
                opened a path to safety and justice; where a culture of 
                fear once kept violence hidden, survivors are more 
                empowered to speak out and get help. But even today, 
                too many women, men, and children suffer alone or in 
                silence, burdened by shame or unsure anyone will 
                listen. This month, we recommit to changing that tragic 
                reality by stopping sexual assault before it starts and 
                ensuring victims get the support they need.

                Sexual violence is an affront to human dignity and a 
                crime no matter where it occurs. While rape and sexual 
                assault affect all communities, those at the greatest 
                risk are children, teens, and young women. Nearly one 
                in five women will be a victim of sexual assault during 
                college. For some groups, the rates of violence are 
                even higher--Native American women are more than twice 
                as likely to experience sexual assault as the general 
                population. Moreover, we know rape and sexual assault 
                are consistently underreported, and that the physical 
                and emotional trauma they leave behind can last for 
                years.

                With Vice President Joe Biden's leadership, we have 
                made preventing sexual violence and supporting 
                survivors a top priority. Earlier this month, I was 
                proud to sign the Violence Against Women 
                Reauthorization Act, which renews and strengthens the 
                law that first made it possible for our country to 
                address sexual assault in a comprehensive way. The Act 
                preserves critical services like rape crisis centers, 
                upholds protections for immigrant victims, gives State 
                and tribal law enforcement better tools to investigate 
                cases of rape, and breaks down barriers that keep 
                lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender victims from 
                getting help. It also expands funding for sexual 
                assault nurse examiner programs and sexual assault 
                response teams, helping States deliver justice for 
                survivors and hold offenders accountable.

                Just as we keep fighting sexual assault in our 
                neighborhoods, we must also recommit to ending it in 
                our military--because no one serving our country should 
                be at risk of assault by a fellow service member. Where 
                this crime does take place, it cannot be tolerated; 
                victims must have access to support, and offenders must 
                face the consequences of their actions. Members of our 
                Armed Forces and their families can learn more about 
                the resources available to them at 1-877-995-5247 and 
                SafeHelpline.org.

                All Americans can play a role in changing the culture 
                that enables sexual violence. Each of us can take 
                action by lifting up survivors we know and breaking the 
                silence surrounding rape and sexual assault. To get 
                involved, visit www.WhiteHouse.gov/1is2many.

                Together, our Nation is moving forward in the fight 
                against sexual assault. This month, let us keep working 
                to prevent violence in every corner of America, and let 
                us rededicate ourselves to giving survivors the bright 
                future they deserve.

[[Page 20222]]

                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 2013 as 
                National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. 
                I urge all Americans to support survivors of sexual 
                assault and work together to prevent these crimes in 
                their communities.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-ninth day of March, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
                seventh.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2013-07924
Filed 4-3-13; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F3