National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, 2002

Proclamation 7601 of October 1, 2002

National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, 2002

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Domestic violence in America is intolerable and must be
stopped. According to the 2000 National Crime
Victimization Survey, almost 700,000 incidents of
violence between partners were documented in our
Nation, and thousands more go unreported. And in the
past quarter century, almost 57,000 Americans were
murdered by a partner. Children who witness domestic
violence often grow up believing that physical cruelty
in relationships is acceptable behavior, and thus they
may tend to perpetuate a cycle of violence in society.

Many Federal, State, and local programs addressing the
domestic violence problem have achieved success,
bringing greater safety to families. The success of
coordinated community-based efforts is helping us win
the battle against domestic violence. Community
leaders, police, judges, advocates, healthcare workers,
and concerned Americans are working together across
America to develop solutions to this serious problem
and to implement services that will improve our
responses when it occurs. For example, many police
departments and district attorneys offices have created
specialized domestic violence units that cooperate with
community advocates to enhance services for victims;
and representatives from the faith community frequently
provide essential support in areas where there may be
no other services available. Programs designed to
educate men and women about ways they can help prevent
domestic violence are being developed across our
Nation. Every citizen has the ability to aid and assist
those suffering from domestic abuse and to let victims
know that support is available through shelters,
hotlines, and other services.

To better assist victims in need, my Administration
recently implemented funding for new programs to
improve outreach and services for people who are older
or who have disabilities.

We have also intensified our efforts to provide
meaningful access to Federally sponsored programs for
individuals with limited English proficiency, making it
easier for them to escape violence, report crime, and
gain access to community services.

We must continue to hold domestic abusers accountable;
we must punish them to the full extent of the law; and
we must prevent them from inflicting more abuse.
Protective orders are helpful and can be enforced in
every jurisdiction in our country, which means their
power extends across State lines and onto tribal lands.
This legal authority makes it easier for police and
prosecutors to keep aggressors away from their intended
targets. Many abusers become more dangerous after
court-enforced separation from their victims and often
use visitation or exchange of children as an
opportunity to inflict abuse. We are working to expand
programs that improve the safety of family members in
these situations.

During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I urge all
Americans to join together in recommitting themselves
to eliminating domestic violence and reaching out to
its victims, letting them know that help is available.
With

dedication and vigilance, we can increase safety for
thousands of our citizens and bring hope to countless
Americans.

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 2002 as National
Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I urge all Americans
to become a part of the coordinated community response
to domestic violence and to send the message that this
crime will not be tolerated in our Nation.

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

(Presidential Sig.)B