National Stalking Awareness Month, 2014

Proclamation 9075 of December 31, 2013

National Stalking Awareness Month, 2014

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Each January, we draw attention to a crime that will
affect 1 in 6 American women at some point in their
lives. Although young women are disproportionately at
risk, anyone can be a victim of stalking--regardless of
age, sex, background, or gender identity. While many
victims are stalked by ex-partners, sometimes the
perpetrators are acquaintances or even strangers.
During National Stalking Awareness Month, we extend our
support to victims and renew our commitment to holding
their stalkers accountable.

Stalkers seek to intimidate their victims through
repeated unwanted contact, including harassing phone
calls, text messages, or emails. Cyberstalking is
increasingly prevalent, with more than one quarter of
stalking victims reporting being harassed through the
Internet or electronically monitored. Many victims
suffer from anxiety, depression, and insomnia, and some
are forced to move or change jobs. Stalking all too
often goes unreported, yet it also tends to escalate
over time, putting victims at risk of sexual assault,
physical abuse, or homicide.

My Administration remains dedicated to pursuing justice
for victims of stalking and ensuring survivors receive
the support they need. Last March, I was proud to sign
the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act. Every
time we renew this landmark legislation, we improve it,
and this time was no exception. This renewal expanded
protections for Native American and lesbian, gay,
bisexual, and transgender victims of stalking, domestic
violence, and sexual assault. It amended the Clery Act
to require colleges to report crime statistics on
stalking, continued to allow relief for immigrant
victims, and strengthened support and training programs
that have proven effective in helping law enforcement
bring offenders to justice.

We also stand behind the tireless advocates who provide
essential services to victims. Along with law
enforcement, prosecutors, court personnel, and
survivors, these devoted women and men are links in a
chain that has made a difference--one person, one
family, one case at a time. This month, let us resolve
to strengthen this chain, bring stalkers to justice,
and give hope to everyone who has suffered from this
crime.

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 January 2014 as
National Stalking Awareness Month. I call upon all
Americans to recognize the signs of stalking,
acknowledge stalking as a serious crime, and urge those
affected not to be afraid to speak out or ask for help.
Let us also resolve to support victims and survivors,
and to create communities that are secure and
supportive for all Americans.

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