[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 65 (Thursday, April 4, 2019)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 13493-13494]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-06809]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 84 , No. 65 / Thursday, April 4, 2019 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 13493]]


                Proclamation 9856 of March 29, 2019

                
National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention 
                Month, 2019

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Sexual assault has shattered and scarred the lives of 
                millions of women, men, and children. During National 
                Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, we 
                reaffirm our commitment to eliminating sexual violence, 
                empowering survivors and their families, and providing 
                justice to the victims of this devastating crime.

                While our Nation has made significant progress in 
                sexual assault prosecution and prevention, and in 
                providing compassionate care for survivors dealing with 
                physical and emotional trauma, the battle to eradicate 
                violence and heal lives is ongoing. My Administration 
                supports innovative strategies to combat the many forms 
                of sexual assault and to provide counseling, treatment, 
                and advocacy for survivors nationwide. For example, to 
                care for victims in rural communities who may lack 
                proximity to clinics and trained forensic examiners, 
                the Department of Justice's Office for Victims of Crime 
                is increasing access to exams through 24-hour 
                telemedicine administered by trained healthcare 
                examiners. The Department of Justice's Office on 
                Violence Against Women has created an updated sexual 
                assault forensic examinations virtual practicum, which 
                employs cutting-edge technology and interactive 
                training to prepare forensic professionals to collect 
                evidence and treat survivors of sexual assault. And the 
                Department of Transportation has formed the National 
                In-Flight Sexual Misconduct Task Force to assess how 
                airlines respond to and report sexual misconduct 
                allegations by passengers on commercial aircraft.

                My Administration is also focused on eradicating sex 
                trafficking, a form of sexual assault that amounts to 
                modern-day slavery. Because many victims are trafficked 
                online--sometimes by intimate partners, spouses, 
                parents, or other family members--I signed into law the 
                Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex 
                Trafficking Act of 2017. This law makes it easier to 
                take legal action against individuals who use websites 
                to facilitate sex trafficking and helps victims seek 
                justice against the websites that profit from their 
                exploitation. It also clarifies that those who benefit 
                from knowingly assisting, supporting, or facilitating 
                an act of sex trafficking are in violation of Federal 
                law.

                Thanks to the dedication of professionals, volunteers, 
                and concerned citizens, we are continuing to make 
                strides in the fight against sexual assault. Young 
                people are learning healthy dating and intimate 
                relationship skills as a way to prevent sexual 
                violence, and law enforcement officers and prosecutors 
                are leading unprecedented efforts to fight sex 
                trafficking. Victim centered services are also 
                supporting survivors to get the critical help they 
                deserve. By working together, we can prevent and end 
                the sexual abuse and violence that devastate so many 
                lives.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, 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 2019 as 
                National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. 
                I urge all Americans, families, law enforcement 
                personnel, healthcare providers, and community

[[Page 13494]]

                and faith-based organizations 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 nineteen, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                third.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2019-06809
Filed 4-3-19; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F9-P