Federal Employee Domestic Violence Awareness Campaign

[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 195 (Tuesday, October 10, 1995)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 52821-52822]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-25235]

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Part V

The President

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Memorandum of October 2, 1995--Federal Employee Domestic Violence
Awareness Campaign

Presidential Determination No. 95-45 of September 29, 1995--Classified
Information Concerning the Air Force's Operating Location Near Groom
Lake, NV

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Title 3--
The President

Memorandum of October 2, 1995

Federal Employee Domestic Violence Awareness
Campaign

Memorandum for Heads of Executive Departments and
Agencies

Domestic violence is not a private, family dispute that
affects only the people involved. Domestic violence is
violent criminal activity that affects us all,
regardless of race, income, or age, in every community
in this country. It means higher health care costs,
increased absenteeism, and declining productivity. It
destroys families, relationships, and lives. More
importantly, it tears at the moral fabric of who we are
and undermines the very institution that has been the
cornerstone of our country: the family.

In passing the Violence Against Women Act as part of
the Violent Crime Control Act (``VCCA'') last year, the
Congress recognized the seriousness of the problem of
domestic violence. This new law combines tough new
penalties with programs to prosecute offenders and help
women victims. In the last year, every State has
received a down payment of $426,000 in grants to help
train prosecutors, police, and service providers in
combatting the problem of domestic violence. Moreover,
because of the VCCA, every State will now ensure that
women who have been assaulted will not have to pay for
their medical examinations resulting from rape and
other acts of violence.

Throughout October, National Domestic Violence
Awareness Month, business, labor, law enforcement,
public health, and civic organizations will be working
to increase our understanding of this problem and
create solutions that can save lives. I believe the
Federal Government has a responsibility to be a leader
in this effort.

Today, I am directing that executive departments and
agencies institute employee awareness campaigns on
domestic violence. Within the next 6 months, you should
implement a program to promote Federal employee
awareness of the problem of domestic violence and the
programs and resources that are available for victims.
I support and encourage the initial plans made by the
Justice Department, which include the production of a
resource manual and a poster, and the scheduling of a
Violence Against Women Information Fair on October 30,
1995. This fair will include speakers, artwork, and
exhibits.

We have a responsibility to assist all victims of
domestic violence and their families trapped in a cycle
of violence with no sense of where to turn. Often,
victims will not report their circumstances to the
public, but they may turn to coworkers for help. Thus,
by providing information to all Federal workers on the
programs available, we can make a contribution to the
effort to protect women from abuse and reduce the level
of violence in America.

The Director of the Office Management and Budget is
authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in
the Federal Register.

THE WHITE HOUSE,

Washington, October 2, 1995.