    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 117, 108th Congress, 1st Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    Proclamation 7717 of October 8, 2003

    National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, 2003

    By the President of the United States of America
    A Proclamation

    Across our country, domestic violence traumatizes victims, endangers
    children, harms families, and threatens communities. According to the
    most recent report from the Department of Justice, there were almost
    700,000 incidents of domestic violence in 2001. Approximately one-third
    of women who are murdered each year are killed by their current or
    former husband or partner. Children who are subjected to domestic
    violence too often grow up to inflict violence on others, creating a
    cycle of violence that must be stopped. During National Domestic
    Violence Awareness Month, we renew our Nation's commitment to prevent
    and punish the perpetrators of this despicable crime and bring hope and
    healing to those affected by it.
    In some communities across our country, law enforcement, medical, and
    legal services for domestic violence victims are fragmented, requiring
    victims to travel to several different places to receive the help and
    treatment they need. Comprehensive service centers for domestic violence
    victims and their dependents enable health and justice professionals to
    better serve those in need. My Administration supports efforts to
    provide a wide variety of victim services in one location, including
    medical care, counseling and social services, law enforcement and legal
    resources, faith-based services, employment assistance, and housing
    assistance.
    Local nonprofit and faith-based programs and their volunteers also offer
    critical assistance and support to victims in need--help that may not
    otherwise be available. In August of this year, the dedicated advocates
    at the Federally supported National Domestic Violence Hotline answered
    their one millionth call for help. Volunteers who want to help victims
    in the local community can find more information at the

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    USA Freedom Corps Volunteer Network (located at
    www.usafreedomcorps.gov).
    My Administration is fighting domestic violence and strengthening
    services for victims and their dependents by supporting local and
    private efforts and securing historic levels of funding for the Violence
    Against Women programs at the Department of Justice. In fiscal year
    2002, we spent $390 million to prevent domestic violence and help
    victims, which represented an approximately $100 million increase in
    funding. Since then, we have continued to provide a similar level of
    funding, and cities and towns across America are using this money to
    strengthen their responses to the victims of domestic violence, sexual
    assault, and stalking. The Federal commitment to domestic violence has
    made it possible for women to seek relief from abuse and reclaim their
    dignity and their lives. Moreover, Federal prosecutions in cases
    involving violence against women increased by 35 percent in 2002.
    Today is the first day of issue for the U.S. Postal Service Stop Family
    Violence postage stamp, which will raise money to support the national
    fight against domestic violence. On behalf of families and communities
    across America, I call on all citizens to help raise public awareness
    about how to prevent, recognize, and stop domestic violence. I applaud
    the commitment of all those who are helping to improve the lives of
    domestic violence survivors and their families. Working together, we can
    continue to find better solutions to this national problem.
    NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, 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 October 2003 as National
    Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I urge all Americans to help victims
    of domestic violence and to work together to address this tragic
    problem.
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighth day of
    October, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the
    Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
    eighth.
    GEORGE W. BUSH