[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 3 (Thursday, January 5, 2017)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 1161-1162]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-00042]


 
 
                         Presidential Documents 
 
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 3 / Thursday, January 5, 2017 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 1161]]


                Proclamation 9562 of December 28, 2016

                
National Stalking Awareness Month, 2017

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Every year, stalkers deny too many people the comfort 
                and safety they deserve, violating our basic 
                expectation of dignity and respect for all. Posing 
                risks to both the physical and emotional health of 
                victims, stalking is recognized as a crime across our 
                Nation. This month, we join together in support of 
                victims to raise awareness of this threat and reaffirm 
                the importance of ensuring every person can live free 
                from fear of violence, harassment, and any form of 
                stalking.

                Approximately 1 in 6 women and 1 in 19 men will be 
                victims of stalking. Perpetrators of stalking seek 
                power and control by following, harassing, or pursuing 
                victims in unwanted or repeated ways. Stalking can 
                occur digitally--through cell phones and on social 
                media platforms--as well as in person through repeated 
                threats or acts of physical violence. And whether 
                committed by acquaintances, former partners, or 
                strangers, stalking can cause anxiety, depression, and 
                feelings of helplessness, as well as a wide variety of 
                general health and sleeping problems. Stalking victims 
                live with the fear of not knowing what will happen 
                next, and many are often forced to change their daily 
                activities, move to a different location, or take time 
                off from school or work.

                Along with combating domestic violence, dating 
                violence, and sexual assault, confronting stalking and 
                supporting victims is an important part of my 
                Administration's efforts to end violence against women. 
                And to ensure that violence against women, including 
                stalking, is never tolerated, Vice President Biden has 
                also led efforts to help change this culture. In 2013, 
                I signed the reauthorization of the Violence Against 
                Women Act, which identifies stalking as a key focus 
                area in which we can improve support for victims. 
                Because of an Executive Order I signed in 2015, victims 
                employed by Federal contractors can now use paid sick 
                leave for absences related to stalking, and in the past 
                year, many Federal agencies have also increased their 
                support for victims as part of ongoing work to address 
                the effects of domestic violence in the workplace. The 
                Department of Housing and Urban Development recently 
                finalized a new rule that strengthens housing 
                protections for stalking victims, helping to secure 
                their basic right to a safe living environment. And 
                through a new Government-wide training tool designed to 
                educate Federal employees on how to recognize and 
                respond to stalking--and how to support colleagues who 
                may be victims--we have worked to enhance policies that 
                support affected employees.

                Nobody should ever feel unsafe in their homes and 
                communities, which is why we must work to lift up 
                victims and survivors who know the distress and anxiety 
                of being stalked. Throughout National Stalking 
                Awareness Month, let us reaffirm the value of privacy 
                and security for all as we continue striving to ensure 
                offenders are held accountable. If we pursue such 
                progress and change with the passion and empathy that 
                victims of stalking deserve, we can build a future 
                where all people are free to live out their dreams.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution

[[Page 1162]]

                and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim 
                January 2017 as National Stalking Awareness Month. I 
                call upon all Americans to learn 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.

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

[FR Doc. 2017-00042
Filed 1-4-17; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F7-P