    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 132, 115th Congress, 2nd Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    Proclamation 9803 of October 9, 2018

    National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, 2018

    By the President of the United States of America

    A Proclamation

    This Nation--founded on principles of liberty and justice--has no
    tolerance for domestic violence. Personal relationships should be a
    source of comfort and support--a solid foundation for each person's
    empowerment and achievement in his or her daily life. Domestic violence
    dissolves that foundation, affecting millions of women and men every
    year. During National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we reassert our
    commitment to eradicating this devastating crime so that homes are
    places of refuge and love--not of fear or violence.
    Horrific and criminal acts of domestic violence are unfortunately common
    in all areas of the world. While people of every race, sex, age, and
    socioeconomic status have suffered at the hands of abusers, the vast
    majority of domestic violence is perpetrated against women. Each of us
    has a moral obligation to speak up for those who suffer from physical,
    sexual, and emotional abuse. We pledge to advocate on behalf of those
    who have been assaulted at home, and to make every effort to prevent
    domestic violence from happening in the first place. We acknowledge the
    hard work of the many advocates, clergy, service providers, healthcare
    providers, educators, law enforcement officers, family members, and
    friends who assist and comfort those who have suffered physical or
    emotional trauma at the hands of an abuser.
    My Administration, in partnership with State, local, and tribal
    governments as well as public and private organizations, is working to
    ensure that offenders are prosecuted and survivors get the support they
    need to live lives free from fear, torment, and violence. My fiscal year
    2019 budget proposal includes a $5.5 million increase in funding for
    programs administered by the Department of Justice's Office on Violence
    Against Women, which would bring total funding to approximately $500
    million. This office coordinates the efforts of diverse organizations to
    prevent and respond to abuse, and has awarded more than $7 billion in
    grants and cooperative agreements to State, local, and tribal
    governments, as well as private organizations since its inception. It
    also funds law enforcement efforts that hold domestic violence offenders
    accountable for their crimes. Each year, these officers respond to more
    than 150,000 calls for service, investigate more than 150,000 cases, and
    refer more than 70,000 cases to prosecutors.
    In addition, the Department of Health and Human Services is supporting
    initiatives to train healthcare providers to assist those who have
    endured domestic violence and implement initiatives that prevent
    domestic violence in the first place. Through the Department's Project
    Catalyst, clinics are checking patients for signs of domestic violence
    and connecting people in need to local service providers. The Centers

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    for Disease Control and Prevention's DELTA IMPACT program is also
    providing funding to State health departments to implement community and
    societal-level strategies to reduce the incidence of domestic violence
    in our homes and communities.
    This month, we recognize that, while our Nation has made strides in
    preventing domestic violence from first occurring and also prosecuting
    perpetrators who commit these horrible crimes, much work remains to be
    done. To ensure the protection of all Americans, especially women and
    children, we must strive to end domestic violence--in all its forms--
    from our society and help victims recover from abuse. And we must
    encourage Americans affected by domestic violence to seek help from
    those they trust and to never lose hope in the possibility of building a
    better life.
    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 October 2018 as
    National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I call upon all Americans to
    stand firm in condemning domestic violence and supporting survivors of
    these crimes in finding the safety and recovery they need. I also call
    upon all Americans to support, recognize, and trust in the efforts of
    law enforcement, public health, and social service providers to hold
    offenders accountable, protect victims of crime and their communities,
    and prevent future violence.
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of
    October, in the year of our Lord two thousand eighteen, and of the
    Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-
    third.
    DONALD J. TRUMP