[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 41 (Monday, October 13, 2003)]
[Pages 1345-1346]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7717--National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, 2003

October 8, 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 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

[[Page 1346]]

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., October 10, 
2003]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on 
October 14. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish 
language version of this proclamation.