[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 177 (Friday, September 12, 2014)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 54885-54886]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-22008]
[[Page 54883]]
Vol. 79
Friday,
No. 177
September 12, 2014
Part IV
The President
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Proclamation 9164--Twentieth Anniversary of the Violence Against Women
Act
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 79 , No. 177 / Friday, September 12, 2014 /
Presidential Documents
___________________________________________________________________
Title 3--
The President
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Proclamation 9164 of September 9, 2014
Twentieth Anniversary of the Violence Against
Women Act
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Twenty years ago, our Nation came together to declare
our commitment to end violence against women. The
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), written by then
United States Senator Joe Biden and signed into law on
September 13, 1994, changed the way our country
responds to domestic abuse and sexual assault. At a
time when many considered domestic abuse to be a
private family matter and victims were left to suffer
in silence, this law enshrined a simple promise: every
American should be able to pursue her or his own
measure of happiness free from the fear of harm. On the
anniversary of this landmark legislation, we rededicate
ourselves to strengthening the protections it first
codified, and we reaffirm the basic human right to be
free from violence and abuse.
The Violence Against Women Act created a vital network
of services for victims. It expanded the number of
shelters and rape crisis centers across America and
established a national hotline. The law improved our
criminal justice system and provided specialized
training to law enforcement, helping them better
understand the unique challenges victims face. It
spurred new State laws and protections and changed the
way people think about domestic abuse; today, more
women are empowered to speak out, and more girls grow
up aware of their right to be free from abuse.
Last year, I was proud to renew our pledge to our
mothers and daughters by reauthorizing VAWA and
extending its protections--because no matter where you
live or who you love, everybody deserves security,
justice, and dignity. These new protections make Native
American communities safer and more secure and help
ensure victims do not face discrimination based on
sexual orientation or gender identity when they seek
assistance. They provide our law enforcement officials
with better tools to investigate rape and increase
access to housing so no woman has to choose between a
violent home and no home at all. And my Administration
continues to build on the foundation of this
legislation, launching new initiatives to reduce teen
dating violence and to combat sexual assault on college
campuses.
VAWA has provided hope, safety, and a new chance at
life for women and children across our Nation. With
advocates, law enforcement officers, and courageous
women who have shared their stories joined in common
purpose, our country has changed its culture; we have
made clear to victims that they are not alone and
reduced the incidence of domestic violence. But we
still have more work to do. Too many women continue to
live in fear in their own homes, too many victims still
know the pain of abuse, and too many families have had
to mourn the loss of their loved ones. It has to end--
because even one is too many. For as long as it takes,
my Administration will keep pushing to make progress on
our military bases, in our homes, at schools, and
across our country.
Two decades later, a tireless effort has yielded a
better, stronger Nation. And on the anniversary of the
Violence Against Women Act, we continue to work toward
a more perfect society, where the dreams of our mothers
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and daughters are not limited by fear and where every
person can feel safe.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, 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 the Twentieth Anniversary of
the Violence Against Women Act. I call upon men and
women of all ages, communities, organizations, and all
levels of government, to work in collaboration to end
violence against women.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
ninth day of September, in the year of our Lord two
thousand fourteen, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
ninth.
(Presidential Sig.)
[FR Doc. 2014-22008
Filed 9-11-14; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F4