[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 192 (Monday, October 5, 2015)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 60263-60264]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-25476]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 192 / Monday, October 5, 2015 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 60263]]


                Proclamation 9337 of September 30, 2015

                
National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, 2015

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Domestic violence impacts women, men, and children of 
                every age, background, and belief. Nearly 1 in 4 women 
                and 1 in 7 men in the United States have suffered 
                severe physical violence by an intimate partner. 
                Victims are deprived of their autonomy, liberty, and 
                security, and face tremendous threats to their health 
                and safety. During National Domestic Violence Awareness 
                Month, we reaffirm our dedication to forging an America 
                where no one suffers the hurt and hardship that 
                domestic violence causes--and we recommit to doing 
                everything in our power to uphold the basic human right 
                to be free from violence and abuse.

                While physical marks may often be the most obvious 
                signs of the harm caused by domestic violence, the true 
                extent of the pain goes much deeper. Victims not only 
                face abuse, but often find themselves left with 
                significant financial insecurity. And children who 
                witness domestic violence often experience lifelong 
                trauma. These heinous acts go against all we know to be 
                humane and decent, and they insult our most fundamental 
                ideals. We all have a responsibility to try to end this 
                grave problem.

                Prior to the passage of the Violence Against Women Act 
                (VAWA), many did not view domestic violence as a 
                serious offense, and victims often had nowhere to turn 
                for support. VAWA significantly transformed our 
                Nation--it enhanced the criminal justice response to 
                violence against women and expanded survivors' access 
                to immediate assistance and long-term resources to 
                rebuild their lives. The Family Violence Prevention and 
                Services Act is another important piece of legislation 
                that improved our public health response to domestic 
                violence and increased the availability of critical 
                services for victims.

                My Administration has worked hard to build on the 
                progress of the past several decades and improve 
                domestic violence prevention and response efforts. We 
                have extended protections and prevention measures to 
                more victims, including in Native American and 
                immigrant communities, and worked to break down 
                barriers for more people seeking help. And the 
                reauthorization of VAWA I signed in 2013 prohibits--for 
                the first time--discrimination based on sexual 
                orientation and identity when providing services. 
                Additionally, thanks to the Affordable Care Act, most 
                health plans must now cover preventive services, 
                including screening and counseling for domestic 
                violence, at no additional cost. My Administration has 
                also sought to secure greater workplace protections by 
                requiring Federal agencies to develop policies that 
                address the effects of domestic violence and to provide 
                assistance to employees experiencing it. And I recently 
                signed an Executive Order to establish paid sick leave 
                for Federal contractors, which enables them to use it 
                for absences resulting from domestic violence.

                Though we have made great progress in bringing 
                awareness to and providing protections against domestic 
                violence, much work remains to be done. In that spirit, 
                Vice President Joe Biden launched our 1is2many 
                initiative, which aims to raise awareness of dating 
                violence and reduce sexual assault among students, 
                teens, and young adults. And earlier this year, we 
                reaffirmed our Nation's commitment to addressing 
                domestic violence at all stages of

[[Page 60264]]

                life by holding the White House Conference on Aging, 
                which addressed elder abuse as a public health problem 
                that affects millions of older Americans. These 
                initiatives will help advance our efforts to ensure no 
                person is robbed of the chance to live out their 
                greatest aspirations.

                Safeguarding and opening doors of opportunity for every 
                American will remain a driving focus for our country--
                and we know that crimes like domestic violence inhibit 
                our Nation from reaching its fullest potential. This 
                month, let us once again pledge our unwavering support 
                to those in need and recognize the advocates, victim 
                service providers, and organizations who work 
                tirelessly to extend hope and healing to survivors and 
                victims every day. I encourage all people in need of 
                assistance to call the National Domestic Violence 
                Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE or visit www.TheHotline.org.

                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 2015 as 
                National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I call on 
                all Americans to speak out against domestic violence 
                and support local efforts to assist victims of these 
                crimes in finding the help and healing they need.

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

[FR Doc. 2015-25476
Filed 10-2-15; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F6-P