    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 124, 111th Congress, 2nd Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    PROCLAMATION 8492--APR. 1, 2010

    Proclamation 8492 of April 1, 2010
    National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, 2010
    By the President of the United States of America
    A Proclamation

    Every day, women, men, and children across America suffer the pain and
    trauma of sexual assault. From verbal harassment and intimidation to
    molestation and rape, this crime occurs far too frequently, goes
    unreported far too often, and leaves long-lasting physical and emotional
    scars. During National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we recommit
    ourselves not only to lifting the veil of secrecy and shame surrounding
    sexual violence, but also to raising awareness, expanding support for
    victims, and strengthening our response.
    Sexual violence is an affront to our national conscience, one which we
    cannot ignore. It disproportionately affects women--an estimated one in
    six American women will experience an attempted or completed rape at
    some point in her life. Too many men and boys are also affected.
    These facts are deeply troubling, and yet, sexual violence affects
    Americans of all ages, backgrounds, and circumstances. Alarming rates of
    sexual violence occur among young women attending college, and
    frequently, alcohol or drugs are used to incapacitate the victim. Among
    people with disabilities, isolation may lead to repeated assaults and an
    inability to seek and locate help. Native American women are more than
    twice as likely to be sexually assaulted compared with the general
    population. As a Nation, we share the responsibility for protecting each
    other from sexual assault, supporting victims when it does occur, and
    bringing perpetrators to justice.
    We can lead this charge by confronting and changing insensitive
    attitudes wherever they persist. Survivors too often suffer in silence
    because they fear further injury, are unwilling to experience further
    humiliation, or lack faith in the criminal justice system. This feeling
    of isolation, often compounded with suicidal feelings, depression, and
    post-traumatic stress disorder, only exacerbate victims' sense of
    hopelessness. No one should face this trauma alone, and as families,
    friends, and mentors, we can empower victims to seek the assistance they
    need.
    At the Federal, State, local, and tribal level, we must work to provide
    necessary resources to victims of every circumstance, including medical
    attention, mental health services, relocation and housing assistance,
    and advocacy during legal proceedings. Under Vice President Biden's
    leadership, the 2005 reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act
    included the Sexual Assault Services Program, the first-ever funding
    stream dedicated solely to providing direct services to victims of
    sexual assault. To further combat sexual violence, my 2011 Budget
    doubles funding for this program. Through the Justice Department and the
    Centers for Disease Control, we are funding prevention and awareness
    campaigns as well as grants for campus services to address sexual
    assault on college campuses. The Justice Department has also increased
    funding and resources to combat violence against Native American women.

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    As we continue to confront this crime, let us reaffirm this month our
    dedication to take action in our communities and stop abuse before it
    starts. Together, we can increase awareness about sexual violence,
    decrease its frequency, punish offenders, help victims, and heal lives.
    NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, 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 2010 as National
    Sexual Assault Awareness Month. I urge all Americans to reach out to
    victims, learn more about this crime, and speak out against it.
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of April,
    in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the
    United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.
    BARACK OBAMA