[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book II)]
[November 4, 1998]
[Page 1978]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 1978]]


Memorandum on a Guidebook for Victims of Domestic Violence
November 4, 1998

Memorandum for the Director of the Office of Personnel Management

Subject: Guidebook for Victims of Domestic Violence

    Domestic violence is one of the most serious public health issues 
and criminal justice issues facing our Nation. About 30 percent of 
female murder victims are killed by intimates each year. Women aged 16-
24 experience the highest rates of intimate violence. In 1996, women 
experienced an estimated 840,000 incidents of rape, sexual assault, 
robbery, and aggravated assault at the hands of intimates. While this 
number has declined from 1.1 million incidents in 1993, we must strive 
to eliminate domestic violence both for its effects on victims as well 
as on their children. Domestic violence does not discriminate--it 
affects individuals of every age, race, gender, class, and religion.
    My Administration is committed to fighting the scourge of domestic 
violence. As part of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act 
of 1994, I fought for and signed into law the historic Violence Against 
Women Act (VAWA), which provides a comprehensive approach to domestic 
violence, both through prosecuting offenders and providing assistance to 
victims. Through VAWA, my Administration has provided almost half a 
billion dollars through STOP (Services, Training, Officers, and 
Prosecutors) grants to the states for law enforcement prosecution, and 
victim services to prevent and respond to violence against women. The 
extension of the Brady Law prohibits anyone convicted of a domestic 
violence offense from owning a firearm. The Interstate Stalking 
Punishment and Prevention Act of 1996 makes it a Federal crime to cross 
State lines intending to injure or harass another person.
    In 1995, I established the Violence Against Women Office at the 
Department of Justice, elevating the fight against domestic violence to 
the national level for the first time. Since 1996, the 24-hour National 
Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) has provided immediate crisis 
intervention, counseling, and referrals to those in need, responding to 
as many as 10,000 calls each month.
    Domestic violence affects all aspects of our society--the family, 
the community, and the workplace. As the Nation's largest employer, the 
Federal Government has tried to set an example for private employers to 
protect and provide assistance to workers who are victims of domestic 
violence. In 1995, I signed an executive memorandum requiring all 
Federal departments to begin employee awareness efforts on domestic 
violence. Last year, the Vice President announced that the Office of 
Personnel Management had developed a guidebook for dealing with 
workplace violence that outlines a wide array of strategies for 
preventing violence at work and for helping supervisors, security, and 
employee assistance staff to recognize the signs of violence, including 
domestic violence.
    Building upon these efforts, it is important to provide a resource 
guide to the thousands of Federal employees across the country, whether 
they are a victim of domestic violence or a family member, neighbor, 
friend, or co-worker of someone who is being abused. I accordingly 
direct you to prepare within 120 days a guidebook that will (1) assist 
Federal employees who are victims of domestic violence by providing up-
to-date information about available resources and outline strategies to 
ensure safety; and (2) help those who know a Federal employee who is 
being abused to prevent and respond to the situation. This guidebook 
should list private as well as public resources such as counseling, law 
enforcement, workplace leave policies, and substance abuse programs. In 
developing this guidebook, you should consult with all interested 
parties, including the private sector and other Federal agencies and 
offices--particularly, the Department of Justice and the Department of 
Health and Human Services.
    This guidebook, in conjunction with my Administration's continuing 
efforts to combat domestic violence, will help to promote the safety of 
all Federal workers and their families.

                                                      William J. Clinton

Note: The memorandum of October 2, 1995, on the Federal Employee 
Domestic Violence Awareness Campaign was published in the Federal 
Register at 60 FR 52821.