[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 4 (Tuesday, January 7, 2014)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 753-754]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-00087]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 4 / Tuesday, January 7, 2014 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 753]]


                Proclamation 9075 of December 31, 2013

                
National Stalking Awareness Month, 2014

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Each January, we draw attention to a crime that will 
                affect 1 in 6 American women at some point in their 
                lives. Although young women are disproportionately at 
                risk, anyone can be a victim of stalking--regardless of 
                age, sex, background, or gender identity. While many 
                victims are stalked by ex-partners, sometimes the 
                perpetrators are acquaintances or even strangers. 
                During National Stalking Awareness Month, we extend our 
                support to victims and renew our commitment to holding 
                their stalkers accountable.

                Stalkers seek to intimidate their victims through 
                repeated unwanted contact, including harassing phone 
                calls, text messages, or emails. Cyberstalking is 
                increasingly prevalent, with more than one quarter of 
                stalking victims reporting being harassed through the 
                Internet or electronically monitored. Many victims 
                suffer from anxiety, depression, and insomnia, and some 
                are forced to move or change jobs. Stalking all too 
                often goes unreported, yet it also tends to escalate 
                over time, putting victims at risk of sexual assault, 
                physical abuse, or homicide.

                My Administration remains dedicated to pursuing justice 
                for victims of stalking and ensuring survivors receive 
                the support they need. Last March, I was proud to sign 
                the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act. Every 
                time we renew this landmark legislation, we improve it, 
                and this time was no exception. This renewal expanded 
                protections for Native American and lesbian, gay, 
                bisexual, and transgender victims of stalking, domestic 
                violence, and sexual assault. It amended the Clery Act 
                to require colleges to report crime statistics on 
                stalking, continued to allow relief for immigrant 
                victims, and strengthened support and training programs 
                that have proven effective in helping law enforcement 
                bring offenders to justice.

                We also stand behind the tireless advocates who provide 
                essential services to victims. Along with law 
                enforcement, prosecutors, court personnel, and 
                survivors, these devoted women and men are links in a 
                chain that has made a difference--one person, one 
                family, one case at a time. This month, let us resolve 
                to strengthen this chain, bring stalkers to justice, 
                and give hope to everyone who has suffered from this 
                crime.

                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 January 2014 as 
                National Stalking Awareness Month. I call upon all 
                Americans to recognize the signs of stalking, 
                acknowledge stalking as a serious crime, and urge those 
                affected not to be afraid to speak out or ask for help. 
                Let us also resolve to support victims and survivors, 
                and to create communities that are secure and 
                supportive for all Americans.

[[Page 754]]

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

[FR Doc. 2014-00087
Filed 1-6-14; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F4