[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 177 (Friday, September 12, 2014)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 54885-54886]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-22008]



[[Page 54883]]

Vol. 79

Friday,

No. 177

September 12, 2014

Part IV





The President





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Proclamation 9164--Twentieth Anniversary of the Violence Against Women 
Act
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  Federal Register / Vol. 79 , No. 177 / Friday, September 12, 2014 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

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                Proclamation 9164 of September 9, 2014

                
Twentieth Anniversary of the Violence Against 
                Women Act

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Twenty years ago, our Nation came together to declare 
                our commitment to end violence against women. The 
                Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), written by then 
                United States Senator Joe Biden and signed into law on 
                September 13, 1994, changed the way our country 
                responds to domestic abuse and sexual assault. At a 
                time when many considered domestic abuse to be a 
                private family matter and victims were left to suffer 
                in silence, this law enshrined a simple promise: every 
                American should be able to pursue her or his own 
                measure of happiness free from the fear of harm. On the 
                anniversary of this landmark legislation, we rededicate 
                ourselves to strengthening the protections it first 
                codified, and we reaffirm the basic human right to be 
                free from violence and abuse.

                The Violence Against Women Act created a vital network 
                of services for victims. It expanded the number of 
                shelters and rape crisis centers across America and 
                established a national hotline. The law improved our 
                criminal justice system and provided specialized 
                training to law enforcement, helping them better 
                understand the unique challenges victims face. It 
                spurred new State laws and protections and changed the 
                way people think about domestic abuse; today, more 
                women are empowered to speak out, and more girls grow 
                up aware of their right to be free from abuse.

                Last year, I was proud to renew our pledge to our 
                mothers and daughters by reauthorizing VAWA and 
                extending its protections--because no matter where you 
                live or who you love, everybody deserves security, 
                justice, and dignity. These new protections make Native 
                American communities safer and more secure and help 
                ensure victims do not face discrimination based on 
                sexual orientation or gender identity when they seek 
                assistance. They provide our law enforcement officials 
                with better tools to investigate rape and increase 
                access to housing so no woman has to choose between a 
                violent home and no home at all. And my Administration 
                continues to build on the foundation of this 
                legislation, launching new initiatives to reduce teen 
                dating violence and to combat sexual assault on college 
                campuses.

                VAWA has provided hope, safety, and a new chance at 
                life for women and children across our Nation. With 
                advocates, law enforcement officers, and courageous 
                women who have shared their stories joined in common 
                purpose, our country has changed its culture; we have 
                made clear to victims that they are not alone and 
                reduced the incidence of domestic violence. But we 
                still have more work to do. Too many women continue to 
                live in fear in their own homes, too many victims still 
                know the pain of abuse, and too many families have had 
                to mourn the loss of their loved ones. It has to end--
                because even one is too many. For as long as it takes, 
                my Administration will keep pushing to make progress on 
                our military bases, in our homes, at schools, and 
                across our country.

                Two decades later, a tireless effort has yielded a 
                better, stronger Nation. And on the anniversary of the 
                Violence Against Women Act, we continue to work toward 
                a more perfect society, where the dreams of our mothers

[[Page 54886]]

                and daughters are not limited by fear and where every 
                person can feel safe.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, 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 the Twentieth Anniversary of 
                the Violence Against Women Act. I call upon men and 
                women of all ages, communities, organizations, and all 
                levels of government, to work in collaboration to end 
                violence against women.

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

[FR Doc. 2014-22008
Filed 9-11-14; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F4