[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 123, 111th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

123 STAT. 3710
 
PROCLAMATION 8428--OCT. 1, 2009

Proclamation 8428 of October 1, 2009
National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, 2009
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

Domestic violence touches the lives of Americans of all ages, leaving a
devastating impact on women, men, and children of every background and
circumstance. A family's home becomes a place of fear, hopelessness, and
desperation when a woman is battered by her partner, a child witnesses
the abuse of a loved one, or a senior is victimized by family members.
Since the 1994 passage of the landmark Violence Against Women Act,
championed by then Senator Joe Biden, our Nation has strengthened its
response to this crime and increased services for victims. Still, far
too many women and families in this country and around the world are
affected by domestic violence. During National Domestic Violence
Awareness Month, we recommit ourselves to ending violence within our
homes, our communities, and our country.

To effectively respond to domestic violence, we must provide assistance
and support that meets the immediate needs of victims. Facing social
isolation, victims can find it difficult to protect themselves and their
children. They require safe shelter and housing, medical care, access to
justice, culturally specific services, and economic opportunity. The
Family Violence Prevention and Services Act supports emergency shelters,
crisis intervention programs, and community education about domestic
violence.
In the best of economic times, victims worry about finding a job and
housing, and providing for their children; these problems only intensify
during periods of financial stress. That is why the American Recovery
and Reinvestment Act provides $325 million for the Violence Against
Women Act (VAWA) and the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). This funding will
supplement the Federal VAWA and VOCA dollars that flow to communities
every year, and enable States, local governments, tribes, and victim
service providers to retain and hire personnel that can serve victims
and hold offenders accountable. These funds will also bring relief to
victims seeking a safe place to live for themselves and their children.
Victims of violence often suffer in silence, not knowing where to turn,
with little or no guidance and support. Sadly, this tragedy does not
just affect adults. Even when children are not directly injured by
violence, exposure to violence in the home can contribute to behavioral,
social, and emotional problems. High school students who report having
experienced physical violence in a dating relationship are more likely
to use drugs and alcohol, are at greater risk of suicide, and may carry
patterns of abuse into future relationships. Our efforts to address
domestic violence must include these young victims.
During this month, we rededicate ourselves to breaking the cycle of
violence. By providing young people with education about healthy
relationships, and by changing attitudes that support violence, we
recognize that domestic violence can be prevented. We must build the
capacity of our Nation's victim service providers to reach and serve
those in need. We urge community leaders to raise awareness and bring
at-

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123 STAT. 3711

tention to this quiet crisis. And across America, we encourage victims
and their families to call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-
800-799-SAFE. Together, we must ensure that, in America, no victim of
domestic violence ever struggles alone.
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 October 2009, as
National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I ask all Americans to do
their part to end domestic violence in this country by supporting their
communities' efforts to assist victims in finding the help and healing
they need.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of
October, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
fourth.
BARACK OBAMA