[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

[[Page 3098]]
117 STAT. 3098

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