National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, 2006

Proclamation 8058 of September 29, 2006

National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, 2006

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Domestic violence has no place in our society, and we
have a moral obligation to help prevent it. The
terrible tragedies that result from it destroy lives
and insult the dignity of women, men, and children.
National Domestic Violence Awareness Month is an
opportunity to underscore our commitment to bringing an
end to violence in the home.

A home should be a place of stability, comfort, and
love. Domestic violence shatters this important
foundation. My Administration is strongly committed to
addressing domestic violence and helping those who have
been victimized. In January, I was proud to sign
legislation reauthorizing the Violence Against Women
Act. Since I announced the Family Justice Center
Initiative in 2003, we have opened 11 Family Justice
Centers across the country. These centers offer
services to victims and their families, including legal
advice, counseling, and support. In addition, we are
continuing to work with faith-based and community
organizations to provide training, expertise, and
funding to help deliver hope and healing to those who
need it most.

During National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and
throughout the year, we are grateful for the advocates,
counselors, and others who provide care to those
affected by these acts of cruelty and for the law
enforcement personnel and others who work to bring
offenders to justice. We extend our compassion to the
victims of domestic violence and urge them to seek
assistance through local Family Justice Centers, faith-
based and community organizations, and the National
Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE. By working
together, we can build an America where every home
honors the value and dignity of its loved ones.

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 2006 as National
Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I urge all Americans
to reach out to victims and help end domestic violence.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-ninth day of September, in the year of our Lord
two thousand six, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.