National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, 2011

Proclamation 8727 of October 3, 2011

National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, 2011

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we recognize
the significant achievements we have made in reducing
domestic violence in America, and we recommit ourselves
to the important work still before us. Despite
tremendous progress, an average of three women in
America die as a result of domestic violence each day.
One in four women and one in thirteen men will
experience domestic violence in their lifetime. These
statistics are even more sobering when we consider that
domestic violence often goes unreported.

The ramifications of domestic violence are staggering.
Young women are among the most vulnerable, suffering
the highest rates of intimate partner violence.
Exposure to domestic violence puts our young men and
women in danger of long-term physical, psychological,
and emotional harm. Children who experience domestic
violence are at a higher risk for failure in school,
emotional disorders, and substance abuse, and are more
likely to perpetuate the cycle of violence themselves
later in life.

My Administration is working not only to curb domestic
violence, but to bring it to an end. Last year, we
announced an unprecedented coordinated strategy across
Federal agencies to prevent and stop violence against
women. We are empowering survivors to break the cycle
of abuse with programs to help them become financially
independent. We have prevented victims of domestic
violence from being evicted or denied assisted housing
after abuse. And we are promoting tools for better
enforcement of protective orders, while helping
survivors gain access to legal representation.

In addition, as part of the Affordable Care Act, the
Department of Health and Human Services announced
historic new guidelines that will ensure women receive
preventive health services without additional cost,
including domestic violence screening and counseling.
The Affordable Care Act also ensures that insurance
companies can no longer classify domestic violence as a
pre-existing condition.

Last December, I reauthorized the Child Abuse
Prevention and Treatment Act, giving communities life-
saving tools to help identify and treat child abuse or
neglect. It also supports shelters, service programs,
and the National Domestic Violence Hotline, linking
tens of thousands of victims every month to the
resources needed to reach safety. I encourage victims,
their loved ones, and concerned citizens to use this
hotline for more information at 1-800-799-SAFE or visit
www.TheHotline.org.

This is not just a job for government; it is a job for
all of us. Vice President Joe Biden's ``1is2many''
initiative reminds us that everyone has a part to play
in ending violence against youth. By engaging men and
women, mothers and fathers, and schools and
universities in the fight, we can teach our children
about healthy relationships. We are asking everyone to
play an active role in preventing and ending domestic
violence, by stepping up to stop violence when they see
it. During National Domestic Violence Awareness Month,
we recommit to making sure that no one suffers alone,
and to assisting those who need help in reaching a
safer tomorrow.

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 2011 as
National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I call on
all Americans to speak out against domestic violence
and support local efforts to assist victims of these
crimes in finding the help and healing they need.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
third day of October, in the year of our Lord two
thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.